Listen

Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the Lord’s glory has shone upon you. Though darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning radiance.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Think

The words of today’s scripture strike too close to home. Though written centuries ago, the gloom and darkness could just as easily be referring to the poverty, division, and hate that threaten to take over our world today.

It’s easy to get caught up in the thoughts that “darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations.” Many do just that every single day. To some, spreading hope, offering restoration, and working toward the betterment of our world is not worth their time because the darkness has won.

Yet, the words of our passage challenge us to see more. The promise is that “light has come!” In their original time, these words to ancient Israel offered hope in the midst of great strife and restoration in the midst of a seemingly never-ending stream of darkness. To us today, these words offer those same promises. As you journey into this new year, let them serve as a reminder that there is no darkness that will ever succeed in snuffing out the light that has now come through Christ.

Lawrence Powers

Pray

God of new beginnings, as I enter this new year surrounded by what seems like never-ending darkness, help me to know that your light continues to shine. Help me to know its presence in the midst of this day. Amen.

Go

Christ is calling you to journey with him, to share his light with the world.

Where will today’s journey lead?

Only one way to find out…