No Fear Here!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV

When I was little, I was terrified of the dark. Thanks to some cousins who told me ghost stories, I went from sleeping soundly and securely in the safety of my parent’s home to be fearful when the lights went out. My imagination conjured up slithering and shadowy things residing under the bed and in my closet. Today my fear in a dark, unfamiliar room is more tripping over something than dark lurking things.

There are many dark lurking things in our world today and many reasons for us to be anxious. Today's verse assures us that we don't need to be afraid. God is the brightest night light we need in the sometimes scary rooms of our lives. In the light of his presence, we find comfort, strength, and peace. He protects us from those ghosts under our beds and hiding in the closet.

Christ, invites us to share this light we others. Picture a large candle burning brightly in a very dark room. There is no other source of light except for that one candle. With you in this place are many people, each with an unlit candle. One at a time, each person steps forward and lights their candle. With each lit candle, the room grows brighter. The things in that room that once caused such fear begin to disappear. After all the candles are lit, the previously darkened room becomes quite brilliant. As Christ's followers, we leave that room, not extinguishing the light but sharing it with others, dispelling the world’s darkness, fears, and anxieties.

God of light and love, we give you thanks. You shared your light with us in your Son. He was a great light come into our world to dispense the dark. Through this mystery and the grace of the Holy Spirit, we are given the light that we may share with the world. Please help us this day as we carry the light into the darkness, that we can be of help to someone. Through our words and our actions, may others come to know you. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

What fear and anxieties do you need to give to God today? How will you carry the light of Christ into the world?

Blessings!

Pastor Tim