Be The Light

I was visiting and walking with my friend Cynthia during the pandemic. Walking through beautiful pine mountains in crisp weather was a welcome relief from the monotony of pandemic shelter in place orders. We began to chat about our lives while enjoying the fresh mountain air.   

Cynthia comes from a wonderfully tight-knit family who takes pleasure in their faith and family. Knowing that her son recently married, I inquired, "Are you excited about the prospects for grandchildren?" 

(Because really, grandkids are the best. I love my children, but my grandchildren are just pure joy. All. The. Time.  

So, I was surprised when she said, "I don't know, the state of our world is so worrisome. I don't know how I feel about bringing children into the world in this state. Don't you worry about what kind of world your grandkids will grow up in? " 

Cynthia is a woman of great faith. She is vigilant in her faith, fiercely loyal to her family, and a true friend. Cynthia, a woman who amassed her own wealth, is down-to-earth and loving. She is also passionate and feels quite strongly about her beliefs. These include her political views, her community beliefs, and her church. She believes it is her responsibility to be aware of and even influence these areas. She feels deeply; she loves immensely.  

So it is no surprise that she responds like this. She has steeped herself in the battle, like a teabag in hot water. As the teabag sits in the water, they are both changed. She has become immersed in all of the darkness.  

Without thought, I reply to Cynthia, "No, I don't worry about that at all." 

"Really?!" Her face says this is shocking and unexpected.  

"No, I have read the book (The Bible), and I know how the story ends. Evil does not win." 

"But things are so bad in our world. Do you want your children and grandchildren to suffer?" 

"There has always been darkness in our world. We live in a broken world. Throughout our salvation history, the world has seen dark times. God called Noah to build an ark because of the evil in the world. Abraham bargained with God for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah.  

Our world will always have darkness, but I am a child of the Light. My God has called me to bring light into our world. Indeed, He calls me to BE a light in the darkness. Perhaps, our grandchildren are being born just for this reason. Maybe we are here at this time, just for this reason. No, I don't worry. God has everything in order, even though we may not see or understand what is happening. He didn't promise us it would be easy. He does promise to be with us always. To say we can't have children because of the state of the world feels like an insult to my Saviour. "

In reality, there is no shame in this thought because it is our human fear, our human anxieties.  

"Be not afraid. " 

It is written in the Bible 365 times, "be not afraid."  

Our Lord knows our fears and provides us with a daily reminder. 

"Be not afraid." Cast our fears onto Him.  

My prayer, "In 2022, let us be the Light our world needs."  

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. Thessalonians 5:5