“Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4–5, HCSB)
That life was the light of men. Have you ever noticed how dark our world is becoming? Whole neighborhoods are too dangerous to drive through. Some sections of town are filled with crime. There are even churches where it’s not safe to join because of the “hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, [and] factions.” (Galatians 5:20, HCSB)
As humanity takes on a self-serving and dehumanizing tendency, the follower of Jesus wonders, “What hope is there for a people so swept up by the darkening culture?”
Of course, as always, the hope of the world is found within the people who God who have Jesus as their Lord and King. He is the great Rescuer, the great Savior of all peoples.
But how does Jesus rescue a world trapped in such death? He breathes life into the dying corpse of humanity. One. Person. At. A. Time. That’s how you came alive. That’s how life is spread.
Life brings hope. Possibilities. Change. Life creates. Life promotes. Life sustains. Life transforms. Life brings more life. Life brings light. And light, by its very nature eradicates darkness. It simply pushes back the gloom. It dries up the fog. It penetrates the impenetrable.
You who are His, you who claim His name know that You are the light of the world, the light of your community, the light of your neighborhood, the light of your job, the light of your school, the light of your group, the light of your church, the light of your family, the light of your marriage. (Matthew 5:14-16)
And wherever we are we bring light by speaking life, speaking hope, speaking possibilities, speaking new ideas and new thoughts, speaking encouragement and promise. As His follower, Jesus calls us to spread life. And where that life takes root, light shines. People are filled with hope by faith. They receive encouragement by our presence and they look to Jesus by our example.
Be willing to speak life. It will bring light into your dark places!
Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realties of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader.
