"The people living in darkness have seen a great light" (Matthew 14:16, quoting Isaiah 9:2)
There are many directions I could go with my reflection on Matthew 14:16. Each day brings me into situations that point to that truth: God is with us, There are so many avenues by which to draw near to him and be transformed; People in darkness see a Great Light and will be forever changed.
This will be an introduction for a series to start the New Year. Every day brings us closer to Spring and Summer, the seasons of increasing light. This series will focus on this question: Will people in darkness to see a great light?
Recently I created a Mission Statement for myself. It was for my Spiritual Formation class, but it meant a great deal for me as a way to focus myself around the voice of God in my life as a whole, beyond the assignment itself. As we were encouraged to do, I expect to adjust it as my life situations change. For class I used this book by Laurie Beth Jones. I recommend it for its easy to follow, and fun exercises to guide you towards creating you mission statement.
Knowing how God has created you and how you can intentionally invest in the world
intentionally, with purpose will help you answer the series' question for your life. How will you both experience and share Great Light in darkness? As Christians, we have a shared vocation (ie, calling) to be, and thus share, Christ. People are experiencing darkness, and we who bear the image of Christ, walk in light. But we are unique individuals so how we accomplish that will be equally as unique.
Let us challenges ourselves to examine what that Light looks like in ourselves, so that we can confidently proclaim from our being: "People living in darkness have seen a great light, for God is with us!"
Below are questions I ask to prompt my writing for the series. Please respond and add your thoughts on this question! I'll work them in as I write the posts.
How will that Light be experienced in relationships? In the activities of work and play?
Will that light be known for its attractiveness, warmth? Will it repel? Frighten?
What role does our passions, talents, Spiritual Gifts, etc play in experiencing Great Light? Sharing it? Reflecting it?
Are there practical routines, habits or disciplines that make us more conducive to experiencing and sharing Great Light?
How do we (or is it worth our energy) identifying shards of "Great Light" in our broken culture? Where do we find them?
How do I communicate my faith? That is, what is the tone behind the words? What am I really communicating?
Have I taken the time to have a meaningful conversation with someone at work? at the gym? In my family? Did I learn something about them?
How do I share my resources (what I own/am good at doing) in ways that bless others? In the neighborhood? At work? With someone new/forgotten/unpopular/difficult?
How much of my prayer life is devoted to others in comparison to myself?
"whoever is not against us is for us"
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