Lover of the Light by @ShelleyHendrix

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." 

John 8:12 NLT

At the time of this writing, the world is in so much darkness. It seems no matter where we look, we are faced with unimaginable suffering in our own country and in other parts of the world.  

Like you, I've experienced emotional whiplash from the different headlines just this past week. A term we now use, due to the culture's oversaturation of information thanks to the news and social media, is "compassion fatigue." I am overwhelmed with it right now. 

It's in moments and seasons like these that God's Word and His Spirit become air, making it possible to breathe in His power and exhale prayers. 

~His Word reminds us again and again that He has not forsaken His people and that He never will. I cannot begin to imagine what our brothers and sisters in the Middle East are experiencing, and I certainly want to do my part to help, but I am comforted to know that GOD is with each and every one. Man doesn't get the final say. Death is not the final outcome. 

~His Word reminds us that we have a permanent, glorious and terror-free Home awaiting us. The moment we step foot into eternity, suffering is no more! 

~His Word reminds us that His Spirit now resides within His people, giving us the grace to face whatever afflictions this world brings upon us. 

Jesus entered the human race when all hope seemed lost...when the world had gone dark. He entered the darkness and drove it out simply by being who He is:The Light! 

As you and I face a new week, an unknown future, challenges on the home front and brutality in the world, let us remember who He is, that we can trust and follow Him. 

And let us also remember who He has made us: light! 

Jesus doesn't command us to make or manufacture light, but simply to be who He has already made us to be. 

Remember, today isn't all there is. God is taking ALL of this and working ALL things together for the good of those who love Him. (See Romans 8:28)

While I do not believe this means that Believers and Jesus Followers should bury our heads in the sand, I want to encourage us all to continue to focus on The Light, trusting His character even when we do not understand His ways, and allow Him to shine brightly through us as we pray and as we take action. 

May we not lose heart or hope. No one and nothing can extinguish His Light! 

"Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!" 

Praying that we all experience the peace only found in Christ as we shine together as lovers of The Light.