Grateful For the Light

My grandmother always taught me to search for a bright spot in all situations. I recall thinking at times, HOW SO? , when all I’m enduring is an entire mess. Yet I watched her lead by example, never complaining in the most devastating circumstances, still somehow intentional in locating a bright spot. As I sat in prayer regarding what all our fellow Americans in particular are facing: job loss, furloughs, work without pay, evictions, foreclosures, terminal illness and an overall metal overload, I could hear my grandmother’s voice echo, “search for the bright spot.” Indeed, most times it’s a search because it’s usually not obvious. While in prayer, I began to locate the bright spots amid a nation of pain and chaos. Again, these spots are not immediately visible nonetheless, they are deeply impactful.

The first bright spot includes the action of a word mentioned more than 500 times in the bible, LOVE. We’re commanded in John 13:34 to love one another, as I have loved you. LOVE has been the overwhelming response to the atrocities of our nation. Families are showing greater love to one another as are strangers. I’ve witnessed deliberate settings where people are connecting with the sole purpose of strengthening, encouraging and reminding others how intensely they are loved. Co-workers are engaging as work family as opposed to “someone at the job.” If there was an acronym that could be ascribed the LOVE in this context, it would be: Loyalty, Openness, Value (seeing worth in others) and Empathy. God’s commandment has manifested itself and it is an absolute bright spot we all should take notice and participate in.

Another bright spot is COMMUNITY. A principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa details the importance of collective effort required to create a thriving community where everyone can thrive. We are witnessing Ujamaa in many communities. Where there was once separation of the haves and have nots, many communities are bridging that gap and exercising benevolence. Neighbors are ensuring the others do not lack resources, food, water, medical attention etc. Several communities are united in protection of its citizens against unlawful ICE raids, sponsoring free food and toiletry pantries and initiating “check ins,” beyond the traditional hi/bye neighbor. The familiar statement, “my brother/sister’s keeper,” is being demonstrated in the earth in a way I imagine causes God to smile. There is indeed great unity in communities.

Our third bright spot is HOPE. The current climate resting upon the United States is one most have never endured. This level of greed, impoverishment, delusion and desperation, some have only known of historically. This period in our history is such, it’s ushered in a spirit of HOPE.  Hope that although we have yet to experience the worst, the best is still on the horizon. Hope that the principals in the word of God are true, and this era is marked with a coma and not a period. This hope, when partnered with Faith, leads prodigal sons and daughter’s back to the altar for restoration and repentance. It is this level of hope that drives those of us in the Christian faith to a lifestyle of prayer and consecration because we are confident, Paul’s message in Romans 15:13 is true. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." He is the God of Hope and the more we fill our lives with the power of His Holy Spirit, the more hope we’ll contain.

The final bright spot we’ll discuss during this post is GRATITUDE. Regardless of how much or little one has, this period challenges most to walk in gratitude. We can no longer be numb and ignore the hardships and poverty of our loved ones and neighbors. It stares us directly in the eyes daily. As a result, instead of seeking more, we find gratitude in what we already possess. That job we complain about, we are reminded to be grateful as MANY are without employment or not receiving a wage for their labor. Those moments we murmured about our meal time options are replaced with thanksgiving as others are without food. The great and small aspects of life we once took for granted, have now become objects for gratitude.

The world is experiencing a great spiritual shaking. Is it comfortable even for the believer, absolutely not, but we don’t conform to the patterns and respond as the world. We explore ways to become the bright spot. I think I can speak for the masses in saying, we wish for more joy filled days to soon come. But until they do, let’s commit as a body of believers to be a light that leads others to THE LIGHT!