It should be our desire to let His light shine before all men and women, parents and grandparents, and yes, of course, our students.
According to the calendar and the shopping malls, the holiday season is upon us. Honestly, since around the end of August, stores have been filling their seasonal space with Halloween items, but also more Christmas items than I have seen in past years. Costco is the worst, and I give Michaels and Hobby Lobby a pass since they are technically craft stores, and crafters have to get a head start. That said, the Holiday season is underway. With the shift toward Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have entered the “dark time.” Regardless of your stance on Daylight Saving vs. Standard time and whether we should cease the flip-flop, the darkness is closing in. On the day that you read this article, sunset will be at 4:37 p.m. On the Winter solstice, sunset will land at 4:16. That is close to eight hours less than our longest daylight.
I already hanker for longer daylight. I am reminded of the spiritual darkness that surrounds us and boxes us in from all sides. Moreover, I am reminded that no matter the physical darkness of a day or the spiritual darkness that can bombard us even on the brightest of days, we are to be light because we are infused with the true Light, the Light of the world.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
It should be our desire to let His light shine before all men and women, parents and grandparents, and yes, of course, our students.
While the gloom of consumerism can attempt to crush our spirits and our very souls, we can take heart that hope and joy come in the morning.
"For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy arrives with the morning." Psalm 30:5
There is definitely a time for a gray, drippy, gloomy day, with a book or a puzzle and a cuppa, but nothing cozy or comfortable compares with the glory and light of our eternal Savior and His glorious return.
~Tim Pearce