I have had the great delight of numerous spiritual dreams in the past. They have been infrequent but always very directive. Some have been quite complex and have required years to fully understand. This last week I had another and it was by far the shortest I have ever had but the impact has been powerful. What I remember was the Lord, very close to my ear spoke only this, “Be light in a dark world”. That was all there was. A simple truth I have known for years, or have I?

The theme of darkness and light are all through scripture. Darkness continually refers to Satan’s domain and light is God and Jesus and Truth. In scripture light and life and love are all inter- related as well. Jesus is all three.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 10:10

I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. …

1 John 4:8

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Matthew 5:14-15

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The more I thought of being light, reflecting Jesus and thus the glory of God I realized that as I walk as someone who is deeply loved and knows who I am, I am free to love others as I have been loved. The light of the Jesus is what I want to reflect, His love for me and his love through me to all others.

Love Does is the title of an inspiring book by Bob Goff. Bob puts faith in action all over the world in dramatic and impactful ways.

I have often felt a loss that we did not seem to have the funds or perhaps the faith to go on lots of missionary trips and take the good news to the very needy in foreign countries. I have prayed and given but have gone only once, so far… However, I am beginning to realize that an equally important way to share the gospel is to simply walk in love and truth with everyone within my proximity.

I am His masterpiece, a one of a kind work of art, designed for a specific purpose.

I was placed by the creator in this place, at this time and with these people to accomplish His purposes. So were you.

This last week I thought a great deal about ways we are able to bring light into darkness. When we encounter anything apart from the love, joy, peace and hope that the good news brings, and we will, we have an opportunity to practice “love does”, opportunities to speak life into situations and to be light where the shadows reside. I have often taught about the importance of our words. God’s creative power was demonstrated in His spoken word, He spoke and then there was light. Created in His image, when we speak life we to are able to bring life where there has been death. . We do not need to preach but if we encounter discouragement we can encourage. When we recognize someone who feels they are “less than” we can help them to see just a glimpse of how God sees them, giving them a peak into their true identity. When we come up against the world’s materialistic values that entrap those we love we can simply share about contentment and gratitude and they will see our freedom. Every day we have these amazing opportunities to compliment others, serve each other and bring life everywhere we go. This week I loved my granddaughter a little better. I turned off the TV or stopped reading my book and just sang to her and talked to her and had these crazy one on one conversations with a 3 month old. . She loved it. It would be so easy to not engage constantly but it was much more rewarding to keep praying for her and speaking life into her even though all she did was coo back. We have countless opportunities to do that with everyone. Engage, listen and care about the other right then and there. Mine was certainly not the most dramatic example, there was little darkness to dispel but it is indicative of living with intentionality in all circumstances,  to simply turn up the love and light.

But there are harder situations. Those people in our circles who don’t want to hear scripture or about the love of God, perhaps there is family member a bit harder to pour love onto than our baby girl. There are conversations that you may suddenly find yourself part of that give the enemy great satisfaction as gossip is exchanged or verbal judgments handed out with fluidity. It is probably not appropriate to interrupt with preaching but it is an opportunity to gently speak and change the atmosphere. Gently sharing truth may bring hope and new perspectives.

When we turn on light it overwhelms darkness, always. I love the mornings here at the lake, the sunlight streams in through my windows and shows up every dust ball on my hardwood floor. That is when I clean up. You see when light shines in suddenly eyes are opened to those areas that have been hidden in the shadows, not only in the lives of others but in our lives as well. Sin thrives in darkness but as soon as we shine a light on it, admit it, and allow light to expose it, its’ power is diminished. We move right into a place of acknowledgement and repentance and all sin’s hold is broken.

By simply being light and loving without a word someone else may see the need in thier own lives. By doing, serving, putting the others needs before our own we may silently be speaking volumes and bringing light into the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

We all live in community and as a Christian our lives are to be a kind of beacon to others. Our lives can demonstrate the way that God intended life to be lived. We can live generous lives, lives that live in truth and please God.

Colossians 1:12

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

2 Cor. 4:6

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that you reflect His light intentionality right where you are at any given moment. Look for the opportunity to do, speak and simply be life, allow the overflow to touch those you are with today.

As Ed Klein use to say, don’t be surprised if people stare at you, its just that light shining out!

Love and Blessings,

Irene