A Light Shining in a Dark Place

I will never forget the pain caused by Hurricane Katrina. I personally suffered very little. Losing my grandparents' homes and my extended family's relocation, the removal of my childhood sources of stability, has cost me the most. But my losses are small compared to many others. Many people in this area lost their homes, their family members, their marriages and other valuable relationships, their jobs, and, for many, their mental health.

Although some of the effects of Katrina's damage continue to affect this area, we have largely picked up the pieces and reestablished routines. But hard times are coming and have come. Companies are laying off employees or cutting back hours. Many have lost large sums of retirement and investments. The housing market is down and good jobs are scarce. All indicators suggest that life will get significantly worse before it gets better.

In a short time, some of the pain and suffering we experienced following Katrina will reappear in Louisiana and across America, if not the entire world. In anticipation of this, I am issuing a call to all who know Christ to get ready. We have been entrusted with a message of hope and peace for our generation, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." If you have been riding the fence, if you have been waiting until a later time or not really sure you wanted to jump in with both feet, your time has now come to choose. When the people around you are in need, will you be ready?


I heard the story yesterday of a young single mother who spent her days trying to look happy so that no one would thwart her plan to kill herself. What had she done wrong? Why was she intent on committing suicide? She felt she had failed herself and disappointed those around her. Oh, how I longed to share with her the hope that I have because I know where she's been. But it's not Christ that has kept her alive, it was a realization that her children need her more than she realized. I wonder, what will she do when she fails again? She now has a reason to live, but no reason to have peace and joy, and nothing but necessity to get her through the hard times that will surely come.

Life doesn't have to be this way.

What do we, as Christians, have to offer? What is the good news we have for a suffering person? First and foremost, it is forgiveness. This young woman's value doesn't simply lie in what she has or hasn't done. When you can accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers for all your past actions and you can give forgiveness to all who have wronged you in the past, then your life starts anew and your value lies in who you are as a child of God and the love you bring into this world as a representative of God. Second, when you accept God's offer of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, then you enter into a new relationship with the God who created the universe. You are never alone. Even in the darkest hour, the Spirit of God "remains with you and will be in you." Third, the God of Heaven will guide and protect you; "For I know the plans I have for you - this is the Lord's declaration - plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

In April/May, I wrote about Jesus in the storm in three separate parts. As our country goes deeper into this financial storm, I return to the peace that Jesus offers us in this story. In short, Jesus sleeps while a storm whips up and rages around him. The disciples fear for their lives and wake him up, wondering how he can sleep when all of their lives are in danger. With a word, he calms the storm and chides them for their lack of faith.

In the past, I looked at why Jesus might have been sleeping and discussed the fact that God never sleeps. But I am amazed today that he was able to sleep and I believe that it illustrates the kind of peace he offers us. When the storm blew up, Jesus and the disciples faced a multisensory attack. The floor heaved up and down under their feet, causing them to lose their balance. The wind and waves knocked them around and stung their faces. The water rose over the boat and soaked their clothes, leaving them battered and wet. And the wind howled, the thunder roared, and perhaps lightening even struck, assaulting their ears and striking fear into their hearts. And Jesus slept.

Certainly, Jesus was on the boat and experienced all these things himself. Yet, while the disciples struggled, fought, feared, and yelled, Jesus was at peace. What was the difference between them? Jesus trusted that God was in control and the disciples did not. Their fear was caused by uncertainty. They didn't believe that God would take care of them. Jesus, on the other hand, understood that if God had other plans for him, God would take him through the storm safely, and if not, he would go home to his father. Christians have this same assurance and God offers it to everyone who will trust in him. As the Bible says, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God."

So, ladies and gentlemen, sisters and brothers, "set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." Many in America are living in darkness and we have a source of light in the world, "the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." We who know Jesus, "the light of men," are " the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." And when you see your fellow man or woman hurting in the troubled times to come, take hold of the promises that your Father has given you and commit to being a blessing to the world by sharing the love that God has given you and his message of peace and restoration.

Bible Verses in this blog: 1 Peter 2:9, John 14:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 1:19, John 1:4, Matthew 5:14-16