I’ve been at a loss for words amidst so much sadness swirling around us.
So much broken.
So much hurting.
So much loss.
So much physical and emotional disaster.
I want to close my eyes.
I want to cover my ears.
I want to shut off my phone.
I want to shepherd my family into a secluded and protected environment, with thicker fences and taller trees.
I want to shield myself and my babies from looking on the ugliness and gloom knocking at our doors.
Maybe if I can selfishly turn a blind eye, then I can avoid shouldering any of the pain that brokenness breeds.
But at that point, I have also effectively avoided being an extension of God’s Light to this hurting world.
Oh sweet people, we’re hurting bad.
Personally. Yes, most of us are warring against something heavy in our individual lives.
But we’re hurting so bad on a more global level, nationally and internationally.
I can only pretend to entertain how much God’s heart must break as He looks on our pain.
I don’t pen this today to argue the apologetics of my faith in Jesus Christ. Although I don’t blame you if you’re chewing on some of those tough questions. And for some of those, I’d direct you to a couple favorites:
But today I pen this blog mostly to myself, to flush me out of my comfortable nest of hiding.
At a time when we’re choking on chaos and drowning in disaster, I’m here to remind you of the Truth.
Dear friends, we’re hurting, but we’re not helpless.
Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. [1 John 4:4.]
Greater is He.
Greater is He.
And His mercies are new every morning. [Lamentations 3:22-23.]
We are not overcome.
But we overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:21.]
The darkness does not win. [John 1:5.]
Today is more of an opportunity than ever to bring Light to the darkness.
We hold the flashlight.
Our fingers are on the switch.
We chase that darkness with good.
The goodness that flows from the good Lord in us.
Pray. Yes, keep praying.
But move.
Move on God’s prompting in you.
Maybe you’ll start small.
But turn that flashlight on.
Love on someone you may justifiably deplore.
Tell somebody you’re sorry.
Serve someone you disagree with.
Hear out somebody that’s different from you.
Chase away the darkness there.
Thank somebody.
Thank a leader.
Make genuine peace. The kind of peace that requires you to lose something you value.
Affirm the insecure.
Shine your flashlight some more.
Leave your revenge unsatisfied.
Extend the benefit of the doubt.
Defend the undeserved.
Invite others in.
Do something for someone who can do nothing for you.
Light up that darkness.
Give something treasured away.
Give your time away.
Be a kind reply.
All things with which I struggle.
This is not the time to shrink back.
You cannot hide away.
You can’t sit on your hands.
Don’t hang your head or accept defeat.
Don’t fan the flame of evil by merely discussing or acknowledging it.
And don’t anesthetize your pain either.
No, you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. [See Romans 8:37.]
You are a city on a hill. [Matthew 5:14.]
You have the authority of Christ. [See, e.g., Luke 10:19.]
You hunt the darkness. [See, e.g., Matthew 5:16.]
In you is the Light of Life. [See, e.g., John 8:12, John 1:4,5.]
You are grace personified. [See e.g., 1 Peter 4:10.]
You are Christ to this world. [See, e.g., Philippians 2:5, Matthew 5:16.]
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come in me today.
Jesus in me. Jesus in me.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV).
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV).
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NIV).
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 (NIV).
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV).
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 (NKJV).
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19 (NIV).
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV).
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12 (NIV).
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5 (NIV).
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV).
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:5 (NLT).
Amidst the chaos around us, I wish I could give you the biggest hug, dear friend.
Much love to you,
Paige
Paige Pippin 