Cape Lookout, North Carolina
We begin a new year with an expression of joy
even though the world is very troubled. While
most of us can celebrate, for twenty children and eight adults their life on
earth ended suddenly and tragically on Friday, December 14th. Their families and loved ones probably are not doing much celebrating. And even on the last day of 2012 our country
is on the brink of a fiscal cliff. There is probably not much celebrating going on in
Washington, DC as our leaders are being pressured to prevent an even worse economic collapse than we have already experienced in recent years. 2012 has demonstrated that life is uncertain and
fragile. The difficult truth is that every day of
every year life goes on for some and ends for others. Jesus has taught us many things and has given
us gifts of the Spirit to equip us for reaching those who are without Him. He has instructed us to reach out and help
those around us in need. We have the opportunity to make a difference in the new year by letting the Light of Christ shine. We carry Light
into the darkness every time we feed the hungry or do anything that shows
someone that someone cares about them—that God cares about them. We carry Light into the darkness every time we
share our faith in Christ and the good news that God loves them so much that He
gave His only Son for them. That through
Christ they can be forgiven their sins, restored to wholeness, and gain life
eternal. We carry Light into the
darkness when we teach others the Truth that Christ taught us, that God has a
plan for our future and we can trust Him. Jesus teaches us to be always alert and
prepared for His return, but not by waiting around for a catastrophic event. On the contrary, we are called to go out and
make disciples, baptizing (freeing them from darkness and joining them with the
Light) and teaching (equipping them to know and trust) that God cares about all
of us and wants none of us to be lost in darkness. Epiphany occurs on January 6th and marks the
beginning of the season of Epiphany which runs until we begin the season of
Lent in preparation for Easter. I have
an epiphany—a great and inspired idea—let’s boldly share the Light of Christ
with everyone we can as we begin a new year. Let us boldly carry the Light of Christ into
every dark corner of our community and as far as we can reach. Who knows how many will be saved? Who knows how many will learn how much God
loves them and have new hope for a better future. We need not fear darkness for the Light of
Christ is within us, and Jesus promises to abide in us to the very end of the
age. Happy New Year!
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