In this season of Easter, we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. As we approach our annual church retreat, how appropriate it is for us to correspondingly focus on the theme, "BE the Light!" Jesus said in Matthew 5:1, "You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can't be hidden." (CEB)
From the beginning, light represented the presence and glory of God. In fact, God's first recorded words were "Let there be light." At God's command, light burst forth into the darkness of a formless and empty world. Jesus is described as the light that "shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:5) Darkness is nothing while light is something. Darkness is the absence of energy. Light is the presence of energy. We carry the spirit of Christ to all whom we encounter.
Just as Jesus tells His followers, "You are the light of the world," He is speaking to us as well. He intends for us to be lights of the world to illuminate and give light to others. The relation of sun and the moon is an excellent example of this in nature. The moon has no light of its own. Its source of light is the sun, which it reflects, causing it to appear to have light. In the same way, apart from Christ, we have no light. Nevertheless, because we belong to Him, we can reflect His love and shine in the darkness of the world.
How can we "BE the Light?" We can shine like a city on a hill. When the Church reflects Christ as she is intended to do, she becomes bright and visible. Like a city on a hill, let us live our lives in ways that will clearly point others to Jesus. Let others not only hear our good words, but also see our good works. As we shine the light of Christ in our community, others will see Him through our lives and praise God in heaven. Make the words of the spiritual a part of your daily affirmation: "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine. Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine."
Our Church Retreat is Saturday, April 16. Let us embrace this opportunity to open our eyes, hearts, and hands as we seek new and fresh ways to "Reach across the street and around the world to BE the Light!'" Sign up today at
www.cascadeumc.org
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Blessings and peace,
Rev. Joyce B. Gross Banks
