Happy New Year to 2024! Sharing God's Light

“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)

The CBC News Network in December had a portion of their morning show dedicated to what they called “Sharing the Light”. For those who might not have seen it. They were stories that people submitted from across Canada, of people who were sharing the light during Christmas by doing acts of kindness to people in need or seniors or to anyone who might need a helping hand. With some people they just need an encouraging card or a visit. I found it amazing the number of people and the number of unique ideas that were accomplished to help friends, neighbors, and people they didn’t know. Some bought pyjamas, others made plates of cookies, a few made cards, a number of people made food baskets, some cooked meals from their homelands for other immigrants and a number visited seniors that didn’t have company. The one point that bothered me, was that yes people were helped in December 2023, but what about each day of 2024?

In Isaiah 9:2, it tells us “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (NLT) This verse is prophesying that Jesus would come and be the light that comes into the world’s darkness.  Have you ever tried to walk around in the dark without any light.  One hot, humid night when I was younger, I slept on our open veranda on an old cot. I woke in the middle of the night. I couldn’t see anything but I could hear something under my cot. I couldn’t find my flashlight, but I was so terrified, I ran in the house. I turned on the outside light just in time to see about 10 small racoons come out from underneath my cot. To say the least, I did not go back out again!

In Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (NLT)

So in light of this verse, how should we live? Jesus came to the world to be the light of the world. How can you and I be the “light” to someone else? 1) Pray about it. 2) What are you good at? Baking, talking to people on the phone, sending notes or emails of encouragement, praying for people, having coffee with someone, visiting seniors, or set up a plan at your Atlantic Baptist Women’s Group to help someone in your neighbourhood. Love them to the Lord. Shine the Lord’s light in your life with them.  It doesn’t have to be a huge project. It can be as simple as helping someone find something they are looking for in the grocery store and tell them to have a Great Day. Listen to the Lord-let Him guide you daily. Be the light to someone near you. You may be the one to show them Christ’s love through one act of love at a time.

May 2024 bring the Lord’s light shining brightly through you this year!

By: Kathleen R. Brewer, B.A in Rel.