What is my response to a world in pain? If I’m honest, it’s easy to live in a place of overwhelm, to feel powerless, lost and lacking in hope.
I’ve felt God’s kindness drawing me out of this place. His presence reminding me to lift my eyes up but also to look out.
The world is aching, groaning even, and as much as it’s easy to get caught up in the drama of my own 4 walls, the world needs our prayers. I can’t ignore the pain I see in the images on my phone and TV…and I’m not meant to.
There is a world needing the love of Christ right now. A world in so much darkness that the light needs to shine.
Matthew 5:14-16 tells us:
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
One of the questions I’ve been pondering is how do I shine my light? When I’m stuck at home, bogged down in home schooling, isolated and socially distanced… what does it look like to shine a light?
Often it’s the small, ordinary places of life that require the most of us. What do I choose to do with God’s light burning within me each day? Am I tapping out, calling time, waiting for this all to end before I take up my light again?
Or am I choosing each day to be a place of hope, a person of encouragement, a safe place of refuge for others? Do I choose kindness, mercy, prayer and love?
Every time I choose to walk in the goodness of God, light shines in the darkness.
Every time I choose to walk in grace rather than offense, light shines.
Every time I choose to pray rather than worry…light shines.
Every time I choose resting in Jesus instead of striving… light shines.
Every time I let go of overwhelm and connect to Jesus, the Prince of Peace… light shines.
Every time I choose an act of kindness…light shines.
Every time I speak encouragement and hope to another weary soul, light shines.
This season cannot snuff out our light. It cannot snuff out our hope. And our world is in need of both.
‘Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house’ (Matthew 5:15)
Our light goes forth as we choose to love and pray and let our hearts break open in compassion for our world.
The glory of God is within you, the glory of God rises upon you. It shines in you and from you as you abide, stay close and listen to God.
The world needs our light, our love, our hope, our prayers. An ordinary life lived in the extraordinary presence of God.
Blessings
Tammy
Abide 
Thank you for your encouraging words once again, noreen
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Thanks lovely for your encouragement. Blessings!
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