It was an unforgettable sight. Standing in a Florida parking lot, a mere ten miles from the Kennedy Space Center, the countdown on the NASA public address system could be heard even at that distance. At liftoff, the brilliance of the Space Shuttle's main engines turned the night sky into dawn as it roared from its launch pad. It truly lit up the night.
"The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them." (Isaiah 9:2)
The tiny nation of Israel, so often the area of conflict and war, saw an incredible brightness over two thousand years ago. Fulfilling these words of Isaiah the prophet, Jesus emphatically declared, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) The light switched on, and has been burning ever brighter since.
A pervading darkness looms as we march towards the end of this present evil age. Middle East conflict simmers and flares, and threatens to draw the rest of the world into its volatile vortex. This, coupled with environmental and economic upheaval, add to the menacing darkness.
"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Undue attention to the darkness leaves us cynical and pessimistic. Not unaware of the present darkness, the people of God instead see it as an opportunity to "light the candle" of kingdom good news. We take up the flickering flame of Jesus' declaration and demonstration, and hold it high to brighten our dark world with this brightness of the coming age.
People groping in the darkness of today's world are looking for that which is authentic and real. As recipients of "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8.12), we have the brightest and most authentic light of all.
One of my favorite contemporary songs challenges us to "Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world".
May the light that has shone so brightly in our lives shine out as a beacon of hope in the darkness of today's world.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them." (Isaiah 9:2)
The tiny nation of Israel, so often the area of conflict and war, saw an incredible brightness over two thousand years ago. Fulfilling these words of Isaiah the prophet, Jesus emphatically declared, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) The light switched on, and has been burning ever brighter since.
A pervading darkness looms as we march towards the end of this present evil age. Middle East conflict simmers and flares, and threatens to draw the rest of the world into its volatile vortex. This, coupled with environmental and economic upheaval, add to the menacing darkness.
"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Undue attention to the darkness leaves us cynical and pessimistic. Not unaware of the present darkness, the people of God instead see it as an opportunity to "light the candle" of kingdom good news. We take up the flickering flame of Jesus' declaration and demonstration, and hold it high to brighten our dark world with this brightness of the coming age.
People groping in the darkness of today's world are looking for that which is authentic and real. As recipients of "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8.12), we have the brightest and most authentic light of all.
One of my favorite contemporary songs challenges us to "Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world".
May the light that has shone so brightly in our lives shine out as a beacon of hope in the darkness of today's world.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 7:43 AM
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