Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Boating at night is really a very fun activity. Being out on the water, and away from the
lights of the shore allows for one to see so very many stars. I personally enjoy night-time
boating. But not every boater does. Because, unless you have charted your course and
know which light from shore is the marina you want to return to, it can be a stressful time
on the water. I always carry a GPS, and a compass so that I do not stress.

Have you taken the time lately to really analyze the news we are being fed of late? Unrest
in the middle east in the form of “Arab Spring,” the rising prospect of civil war in
Afghanistan, continued stalemate in Washington, escalating violence along the
US/Mexican border all point to a world that is definitely not at peace. Stories of
corruption in government and in corporations let us know that greed has a big place in the
life of many prominent members of society. Scandals are splashed across news
corporation websites and on the front pages of our newspapers. All the above tells us that
we live in a world filled with darkness and sin. And to think that what we see and read is
just the tip of the iceberg. What can be really disturbing is how our society and media
treat people when they show their faith. The ranting and railing about how people should
keep their expression of faith out of the eye of the public leads me to believe the ranters
and railers just do not get it. Instead of showing the people expressing their faith in a
positive light they are being ridiculed. In some cases the ridiculing is being carried out
by members of their own faith. The darkness is certainly trying to overcome the light of
Christ in our modern society. At some point we have to say enough is enough. At some
point we should take to task those whose choice is to ridicule those who celebrate their
faith. We all should be making a strong statement of faith in all that we do. If we hide our
faith then we perpetuate the false belief that our faith expression belongs at home or
church only. That is not what Jesus was all about. It is not what we who are following the
light should be about either. Friends, let’s celebrate our faith in public and not just in
private. Let the whole world hear and see that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the “life and the
light of men”. And let the world know that “the darkness has overcome it.” The world
needs to know that the darkness cannot, and will not overcome His light in our lives.

PRAYER: Father, we ask for something simple today. We ask for the faith, strength, and
courage to display our faith in Jesus Christ in public. Help us to shine the light of Jesus in
all aspects of our lives. We ask this in the name of the one true light, Jesus Christ, Amen.