Lanterns in the Darkness

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Anyone who has some form of connection to the outside world knows that every day, there is more and more terrifying news. Car accidents, deaths from natural disasters, wars, school shootings, the list goes on and on. And recently, I’ve seen numerous posts and comments about how we are at the end of the world. 

Now, before you click off this article, I just want to let you know that I’m not writing about whether or not we are moments away from the tribulation, the rapture, or Jesus’ second coming. 

I don’t know the answer to those things, and honestly, I think we as Christians are focusing too much on whether or not these things are happening. I’m not trying to minimize the significance of these topics, but lately, I’ve seen Christians (myself included) get so focused on these topics that we are losing sight of what we are called to do. 

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations.” 

The truth is that we are so focused on the dark things happening in the world that we forget that we are children of God! We can be the lanterns in this dark world if we turn our attention to what truly matters most, which is how great and mighty our God is! 

God has made every one of us in His image, and we all are different! God wants to use the uniqueness of us as individuals to help glorify Him and His mission. As children of God, this should be the thing that we should be focusing on. 

How can we be the light in the darkness? 

How can we show God’s love today?

I used to struggle with those questions until a few weeks ago. I was at a gas station and I held the door open for a man who was probably in his fifties. The man stopped walking for a split second, flabbergasted that some woman was holding the door open for him. Then the biggest smile came onto his face. I grew up holding doors for people; that’s what I was taught to do, but it made me realize that this world is a lot darker and desperate for help than I realized. 

God showed me that day that I don’t need to be perfect or great at something to be able to be a blessing to someone. 

Today, you can be a blessing to someone just by holding the door open for them. You can be a blessing by tipping your barista a little extra money or by buying a sandwich for that homeless person on the sidewalk. The possibilities are endless.

And it’s not just strangers you can bless, it’s your family members and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Does someone you know need help cleaning their house? Do it even if that selfish part of you doesn’t want to. You never know how much of an impact that’s going to make on their day, month, year, or even life. 

I know that sounds a bit dramatic, and I love a good flare of drama, but it’s true. Blessing someone can plant a seed in their heart, and you never know what God might do with that seed that was planted. 

As the world continues to get darker, it’s easy to get scared, to want to stay confined to the safety of our bubbles, and to be selfish with our time, effort, and money. But that’s not what we are called to do. In fact, seeing all of these dark things should be a reminder that people are looking for something good, something bright. 

And we just happen to be tiny lanterns who have the opportunity to show them who the brightest light of the world is, our savior Jesus Christ. 

“And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.” — Hebrews 7:7

© Sierra Loew