SCRIPTURE: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ''Let there be light,'' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ''day,'' and the darkness he called ''night.'' And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day.-[Genesis 1:1-5]
We know there is darkness in this world. I feel it when I'm sick or lonely or depressed. I often feel it when I watch the news and see the stories of fear, violence, disease, hunger and poverty. When I'm faced with the darkness, my reaction is varied. At my best, I engage others in their dark places. Too often, I turn away from it and try to forget it exists. I see it and walk away, wondering, what can I possibly do?
An Ebola outbreak has been trying to cover West Africa since March 2014. It has strained the public health systems, caused many deaths, and brought incidents of civil unrest and violence. Yet, while evacuation plans and warnings against travel in are announced, there are medical and healthcare professionals who are intentionally staying in or heading into the area. They offer care and treatment at their own risk. I am so amazed by and thankful for them. As a result of their actions, we are beginning to hear reports about areas of progress. New cases are beginning to decline. Now there is hope of containing and ending the outbreak.
Mother Teresa made it her life’s work to engage people in the darkness, bringing love and compassion to people whom no one would touch. She held on to a faith that offers light and hope, even when she could not understand the darkness. She was paraphrased as saying:
''There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.''*
This Advent season, we can bring our own acts of light into the world. We can begin to make it our practice to visit or call someone who is feeling sick, lonely, or depressed. We can support the people in our church - UMW, Family Promise, Missions, ACCAHT, CtA, ASP, and others - who connect with people throughout our community and all over the world who need water, food, clothes, medical care, resources, safety, and light. When faced with darkness, what can I possibly do? I can help.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for this season of heavenly lights. Let each light we see remind us you have placed a light within us that can separate the darkness. Amen.
Janise McNair
Join in our photo-a-day devotional to show us what makes your light shine and/or how you share your light with others. Just use #trinitylightshine to be part of the celebration.
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Dan Johnson. 352-317-4409
-- Welcome to the new Trinity United Methodist Church's Daily Scripture Email system.
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