The sun slanting through my living room window lights only a small corner where my cat rolls round in this warm spot. I’m struck by his intention to settle in this choice sanctuary in the streaming light.
Fueled by a sense of urgency, a chorus of voices on social networks cried out for justice from beneath a shroud of foggy darkness on Martin Luther King Day this year. Twitter posts inundating the Internet seem more like modern-day Psalms than 140 character tweets. In 2016, haunting dark forces descended on our world unleashing hate, division and evil. Barbarous terrorism in night clubs, closeted KKK ghosts emerging from quiet corners of America in white robes and pointed hats, and a splurge of swastika graffiti appearing like bruises in quiet communities on bridges, school walls and homes of Jewish families, sends chills up our spines. Women, targets of sexism, rape, violence and inequality rise in solidarity, taking a firm stand for their right to justice, respect and safety. I know the fear intimately. I fear walking down the secluded path to my health club alone, so I walk on the main road; I think twice about my son traveling internationally, an American with a Jewish last name; sometimes I have questionable people following this blog and get scared just because I mention Jesus’ name, or because I speak out strongly against the objectification of women.
I know many despairing under the shroud of darkness and fear. Yet, as Christ followers, we rise into the light of holiness, into holy corners in a dark world where Christ’s light streams. Filled with divine light, we’re fueled like electric cars plugging into fuel sources, like lanterns charged with ultra powerful lithium-ion batteries, becoming lamps on the hills in the world, and like my cat, we’re comforted. In blind faith, we step out into darkness embodying Christ as “the Light of the world”. In knowing the truth of Jesus’ words, we know we will not walk in the darkness, “but will have the Light of life.” We know and trust the words of St. John, that “God is light”, and darkness has not overcome it.”
In this knowing, God’s light overcomes our fear, our terror.
Yes, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist, but first and foremost, he was a Christian and a minister fueled by scripture. We see the power and hope from scripture feeding his movement, paraphrased in his famous words, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” His faith, a sword that parted the Red Sea impossibility of racism, is the kind of radical faith we need today in taking part in overcoming the hate and injustices we face today — the radical faith that fueled Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Day, St. Teresa, St.Francis, the disciples and so many others who share the light of truth.
We step forward, part of the beloved community like “the people who sat in darkness” who “saw a great light”, like those “who sat in the region and shadow of death” — to them light dawned. – Matthew 4:16
We fuel our movement toward justice and setting the oppressed free by being branches on the vine of light. We follow and trust the words Jesus spoke to the disciples to “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light”. We know, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). And that Christ is “the light of the world”.(John 9:5)
In this time of darkness, and darkness in days ahead, we become one of the million lights like stars in the black velvet sky, disciples called to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:79
“Fear not little flock”, Jesus said.
We love your comments!
Love the scripture from Matthew you quoted! We are all called to be light in a dark world if we are followers of Christ. Thanks for sharing!
thanks so much for visiting Lisa!
I love your post and your tribute to Dr. King .. and the reminder of who he was and what he stood for – spot on! We are all called to be light… one life at a time… this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. I am your neighbor at #TestimonyTuesday today
oh and we are also neighbors at #RaRaLinkup How awesome is that!
Thanks Debbie..that song was ringing in my head after I wrote the post!
I love the link between Martin Luther King Jr. and Scripture. In the glorification of MLK (I don’t mean that as a negative thing), it’s nice to see somebody mention that he was a Christian. Great post!
thank you Lauren! I know he wasn’t a perfect man, but he was surely following the voice of God in seeking justice and freedom for so many!
“…first and foremost, he was a Christian and a minister fueled by scripture.” This is testimony of someone who knew who He was in Christ first, and his doing, his light flowed from there. Yes, I’d like to be working from the rooted faith he had to be a light. I can focus on the circumstance instead of the light that we all have access to, and to shine on the hurting world. Yes, let our little light shine! I think I am going to have that song running through my head, however I think the word ‘little’ is not quite correct because God’s light is immeasurable!
It’s so easy to get caught up in the negativity and division within our country, but can you imagine it without millions of lamps on the hill?! Shine on!! I’ve been singing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna mak it shine” song all week!
*STANDING OVATION* GOING ON OVER HERE!! YES YES YES!!! BRAVO!!
THIS is SO POWERFUL.
Oh Kathy- such a tremendous message you share in such dark times for our world, uncertain times for our country, and treacherous times for many families facing the unknown.
Thank you thank you thank you… I’m sharing this EVERYWHERE.
I just love you, thank you for your encouragement! And mostly for your huge, bright heart that shines for so many!
Standing on the hill with you – let’s shine the Light of Jesus together! And together we can push back the darkness.
Surely love the joyful company of others like yourself! Thanks so much Joy!
Like a diamond in the sky…..twinkle twinkly!! Shine on!!
lovely!!!