By David Faust
“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5), but for many the world seems like a dark place. How can you and I brighten things up?
To make a difference, you don’t have to make headlines. Christ often calls his followers to serve humbly behind the scenes, like the woman named Tabitha or Dorcas, who “was always doing good and helping the poor,” making robes and other clothing items for those in need (Acts 9:36-39). I want to tell you about some light-bearers I know. They don’t seek recognition, so I am identifying them with initials rather than their names.
Small Deeds, Great Love
B drives a school bus. He sees the daily interactions with the kids on his route as an opportunity to brighten their day.
D has a gift for evangelism. She started a class to help immigrants learn English, and she has befriended several Muslim women who live in her neighborhood.
J leads a ministry in her church called Grief Share, providing comfort and practical help for the bereaved.
After suffering a broken neck in a car accident last year, D has undergone intensive physical therapy in an effort to use his arms and legs again. He sees his daily interactions with patients and therapists as an opportunity to lift their spirits.
M visits a jail every week and leads one-on-one Bible studies with prisoners. He also leads a weekly chapel service at a homeless shelter and eats lunch with the residents.
N is 13 years old. At the church door every Sunday morning he partners with a woman more than six times his age to greet worshippers and pass out bulletins.
Now retired from his career in sales, B volunteers with an urban ministry, serving meals and mentoring kids.
N and T are a busy married couple in their twenties; he is a teacher and she is a pharmacist. Last year they started a Bible class and two small groups for young adults, with dozens now involved.
E “adopted” a classroom in a local public school. She tutors students and finds ways to encourage the teacher.
A is a classical and jazz musician. He leads worship for the residents of an assisted-living facility.
B is a mechanic. Without charge, he repairs cars for families in need.
S organized a group of friends who like to sew, knit, and crochet. Last year they made more than 400 blankets to share with a local pregnancy care center.
Brighten the World Before You Leave It
Next to his chair in the retirement home where he lived, D kept a list containing dozens of names and phone numbers. Every day he phoned a few of his friends to encourage them. D died a couple of years ago, but he brightened the world before he left it.
John wrote of Jesus Christ, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4, 5). Christ is the Light of the world with a capital L. He is the sun; we are the moon reflecting his glow. To brighten things up, we don’t have to be in the spotlight. It’s enough to be a candle shining in the darkness.
Personal Challenge: Think of someone you know who currently faces a dark, difficult situation. What will you do this week to brighten that person’s day?
Author: David Faust
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
