Every time we turn on the news, there is another tragedy being reported. It can become overwhelming and disheartening, but we have to keep pushing back the dark. It is completely important to not allow the negativity and evilness to consume our lives and our thoughts because when we do, fear takes root and fear and trusting God cannot coexist.
One way to combat this fear from taking root is by admitting we live in a fallen world and with this fallen world comes tragedy. Even though these dark tragedies lurk all around us, we are called to be the shinning lights. We are called to not become disheartened.
Jesus, in John 16:33, spoke this truth to his disciples and he means it for us too:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Here Jesus is referring to the fact that He is about to be crucified and raised from the dead. He will conquer and overcome the hold this sinful world has on us. Because of God’s miraculous powers, this resurrection is possible for us and even for those who intend evil to happen.
Yes, indeed, even those who hold ill will against others, who will carry a gun with ill intentions lurking in all corners of their heart need the light we carry. We should not be afraid to be this light for them.
Mark Gunger relays an amazing story in his seminar Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage of hitman who had his life changed by our Lord and Savior as he was waiting to pull the trigger on his intended target. The hitman was hired by a local porn shop owner, because his sales were down since a revival came to town. He figured if he killed the pastor, then sales would go back up, so he hired the hitman to take out the pastor. As the hitman sat there waiting for the right moment to kill the pastor, the message being presented sunk into his heart. When he finally stood up and came towards the pastor, he ended up giving his life to Christ instead of murdering the man giving the message.
Yes, in every moment we need to be the shinning light and let Christ’s light pierce the souls around us.
Even in tragedy, we are called to shine brightly no matter who the victim(s) OR the perpetrator(s) are. We are called to love, comfort and be shinning lights to everyone!
As I pondered these thing, Josh Wilson’s song Pushing Back the Dark came to mind. The lyrics are so powerful and the song will ignite you to keep pushing the back the dark and shining Christ’s love on everyone.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart
Keep on pushing back the dark
Keep on pushing back the darkThe city on a hill, it should be shining still
Every sinner saved by grace, has a purpose, has a place
Inside the bigger plan, we might not understand
But if we just keep walking on, we will see the Kingdom come, yeah
lyrics from Push Back the Dark by Josh Wilson
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
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