Joyful Ruins

I’ve been contemplating the truth, the calling for the Israelites, and now those who follow Christ, to be a light to the nations.

There are different parts of the Bible that mention this, from the Old to the New testament. They are in different contexts, but this morning, I’m connecting them in one way in my personal journey.

I started to consider the times when God has brought His people into dark situations. Oftentimes, the brokenness of the world thrusts us into suffering, but God has a purpose for us within the suffering. I think there are many purposes within our personal trials but all of us, who believe and follow Christ, have one absolute purpose in the dark trials: to be a light.

I reflect on the Israelites, exiled, oppressed, called to be a light to the nations, set apart especially when among their enemies. I think of Joseph, sent to prison, to a foreign land, called to trust and obey God. I think of Daniel and Esther, called to be servants in ungodly kingdoms, called to obey the Lord in the face of death. All of these people were carried into utter darkness, places where they were surrounded by enemies, trials, fear.

Perhaps you have been carried into darkness, not only darkness, as in suffering, but darkness, as in thrust into an area of life where few believers have gone.

Where does a light shine the brightest? In the darkness.

Could our darkest seasons be our Israelite, Esther, Daniel, Joseph moments?

Our greatest opportunity to fulfill the call to be a light.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think this is necessarily a call to be strong. I think it’s a call to depend on God and let Him be your song.

Are you in darkness? I believe God will use this dark setting in your life to cause you to shine like at no other time, like in no other place.

I know this does not feel like an honor right now, but it is. You may be the only light in this darkness.

Yes, keep your light shining in the dark, and don’t worry, Jesus is the light, and when you grow weary of shining, He will be the light shining in your darkest night.