True LIGHT is Jesus

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

God loves the world. He sent his Son to die to redeem the world. But, the world does not love God. The world, its processes and powers, rejected his Son. Since we have become Christians, we are no longer part of the world opposed to God and his work. We should not be surprised when the world does not accept us. We should not be shocked when the world opposes and hates us. Jesus longs to protect us, but he does ask us to live in the place of risk; he calls us to join him in helping redeem people caught by the processes and powers of this current world. We are called to live on the boundary of darkness and light; we are to shine our light to help those trapped in darkness find their way to the One True Light, Jesus. As we do this, we know that Jesus is our advocate at the Father's side, asking that we be kept safe from the evil one.

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:13-17

Grant me courage and compassion, dear Father, as I live in the place of danger and grace -- that place of redemption where light penetrates the darkness and lost men and women are rescued from the decay and tyranny of the world and its dark prince. Keep my heart on the light and my strength renewed when I face the powers of darkness and the hate this world might offer. Please, dear Father, guard my heart from cynicism and hate, so that I can be one of your many tools of redemption. In Jesus' name. Amen.