Life and Light 2
Life and Light 2
Reading: John 1:1-14
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:4-5 NLT)
Jesus, The Word, gave life to creation and brought light to us all. Life-giving words and darkness-dispelling light. That’s the Jesus Way.
Jesus commissioned his followers (Don’t forget, friends, that includes us) to do his work and speak his words. He gave us the privilege of representing him to the world around us, starting with those closest to us (family, friends, neighbors) and to those far away (to the ends of the earth). That’s the Jesus Way.
Like Jesus (The Word) and the Father, we can speak and create light and dispel the darkness. There’s power in our speech and in our actions. We can speak light, life, hope, and encouragement! We actually could speak darkness, confusion, discouragement, and despair, you know. But that wouldn’t be the Jesus Way!
The closer we are in relationship to another person, the more power our words have for good or harm: Our families, our children, those we love and those who love us. Kind words, words of praise and affirmation, words of support and encouragement. Hopeful, helpful words of healing and restoration—words like: I’m sorry, I didn’t understand, I love you, I’m with you, it’ll be alright.
…We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)
…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
Let’s speak truth in love, let’s speak life, let’s speak light, and let’s speak kindly. It’s the Jesus Way!
Prayer:
Father, Please fill us anew with your goodness and kindness, your compassion and your mercy. Impress upon us the immense privilege of representing you to our families (partners and children, brothers and sisters), our community, and our world. May we speak life and light and truth and hope and help. May we speak and live the Jesus Way!