October 5, 2015

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2:9-10

“Most certainly, there are many of us who once were blind, but now have been given faith and are able to see. We who were once in darkness now live in the light of the Lord. We have been moved from darkness into light because God’s Son willingly became the heaven-designated Sacrifice who has rescued us. Now by the Holy Spirit’s action, saving faith has been placed into our hearts and everything ought to be seen in a different way. You know, things like a cold beer on a hot day; a baby’s laugh; buttered popcorn, and a comfortable fitting pair of jeans. Things like finding money in the pocket of your winter coat, and the elevator opening right after you push the button. Things like fresh sheets; a snowfall you don’t have to shovel; a dog who is glad to see you; a phone call from a long-lost friend; opening your hymnbook to the right hymn; hearing a compliment when the speaker didn’t know you were listening; the Milky Way on a crisp night; getting an A on a test when you thought you’d be lucky to get a C.

Live your life as a thanksgiving witness to those who are still in the dark, those who are still stumbling around without any hope. Let your face and bearing reflect the joy that is within you, the beauty which surrounds you, because of the extra gifts of God.” (“Into His Marvelous Light“, Daily Devotions Lutheran Hour Ministries, September 6, 2015)

Have you ever been stuck in a rut? Have you ever found yourself lost for what to do next? Sometimes the only way we can dig ourselves out of a hole of inaction, self pity and despair is to try to step out of the situation and see things in a different light. Often, when our friends come around to console us, this is one of the things they are trying to do — trying to help us get a different perspective.

It is easy to get stuck in a dark place — many people live their lives perpetually stuck in a place where they just can’t seem to remove themselves. It is then that we need to remember that Jesus has come to this place to bring us all out of the darkness and into the light of G*d’s love. Jesus said “I am the light of the world.” Remembering that Jesus is our light should help us to find a “different way” – a “new” way – like finding that twenty-dollar bill in your jacket pocket, or putting on that pair of jeans that fits just right. In those moments of discovery, we find our hearts lifted, even if just for a few moments, and helps us to see things differently.

Pastor Dave