WE ARE THE LIGHT AND HOPE OF JESUS IN A DARK WORLD
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“God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5 –
Are you a beacon of hope and light to those you encounter? The world desperately needs hope. We have a Living Hope within us who is Jesus Christ our Lord. Without Him, we would be lost. The world is lost without Him, for there is no hope apart from Him. He is the Light of the World and the Light of our lives.
A lighthouse shines its beacon of light and hope into the darkness of night. Lighthouses are located on coasts, rocky points, islands, inlets, harbors… and near dangerous underwater reefs. Captains guide their ships safely through the dark by their bright lights. The beacons warn of impending danger and guide vessels safely on their way.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” – Hebrews 6:19
Lighthouses have long been symbols of hope. They have served as key navigational aids throughout the ages. Fog may envelop coastlines… storms may rage at sea… winds may throw ships off their courses. Yet lighthouses offer hope for safe passage. Countless shipwrecks have been prevented by their lights. Unsuspecting boats and ships are warned of unseen dangers, keeping vessels, crew and cargo safe from harm.
Lighthouses are often built into rocks to allow them to withstand the wind and storms. Jesus is our firm foundation. He is the Rock to whom our lives are anchored. Through Him, we resist all that the world casts against us. He calms our storms… He stills our raging seas… He quiets our fears. His Light illuminates our lives, ridding us of the darkness of sin. He becomes the Hope that anchors our souls and the Light that guides our lives.
“You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others.” – Matthew 5:14, 16
Jesus Christ is the True Light. His light dispels all darkness. Jesus says we are the light of the world because of His Light shining in us. He has chosen to reflect His light through us, His followers, to an unbelieving world. If we live for Christ, we will shine out like lighthouses into the darkness. We will guide the world to the Rock.
Jesus calls us to be His Light in this world. Wherever His Light shines, there is hope. Through Him, we give light to those enveloped in the fog of the enemy’s deceptions. We offer truth to those whose lives have been blown off course. We extend hope to those who are facing harsh storms in their lives.
“Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me.” – Psalm 43:3
As beacons to the world, we are not to hide the light and hope within us. We are to be Christ’s light-bearers, letting His Light shine through us, pointing the way to salvation. How do we hide this light and hope?
- By blending in with the world and its ways
- By keeping silent about our belief in Christ
- By failing to share about Him to those in darkness
- By fearing contempt or rejection for our beliefs
- By allowing sin to dim our light and our witness
- By denying Christ in certain areas of our lives
- By failing to live out kingdom values for the world to see
Our brightness flows from the Fount of Life. Others see by this light that they are lost in the darkness without Him. They see the danger of drifting through life by their own light, following their own course. They see the salvation that only Christ can provide.
“Honor Christ and let Him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15
God works through us to tell the world about Christ. Let us witness to the world like a lighthouse on a stormy night. Let us send out our beacon of light and hope to a dark world. Let us unite with Jesus to guide those who are lost to safe passage. We just may be the lighthouse in someone’s storm, leading them to the only One who can save.
