Proving What is Good, Part 3

We are almost done with walking through the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and dissecting what it would look like if we truly walked out its message. As we've already seen, each component thus far has been much more easily spoken than lived out. And to live it out, you have to approach life in a much different manner than what the world would accept as typical or appropriate. So... let's look at the next two lines:

where there is darkness, (sow) light;

where there is sadness, joy. 

This may be the easiest of the admonitions we've looked at so far. I say "easy" though, only in comparison to the what we've already looked at and also in the sense that it is easier to be a generally "happy" person than to be one that is quick to forgive, for example. 

Many people who have been trying to live the Christian life for any time at all have probably heard the expression, "be a light in a dark place." I think it's interesting that one of the first things Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount was just this. 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

Jesus himself calls us directly to, "let our light shine before others". I don't think we should take that call lightly. If we who are Christian, who have His light inside of us, choose not to reflect that light, than we are essentially acting in disobedience. How is the love of Christ going to spread if those who have it just keep it to themselves? How does living that way glorify Him?

One relatively easy way to do this is to just share His joy. Live life joyfully! We have the hope of an eternal future ahead of us - we should live like it! In contrast, if instead you walk around like Eeyore, always depressed, always waiting for the next bad thing to happen to you, who is going to want to be around - let alone follow - anyone like that? No one! As Christians we have good news to share - let's act and live like it!

One of my favorite verses from the Psalms is Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning" (NKJV). A few years back, my wife was in the hospital with some serious medical issues. I was spending the nights in the room with her and early one morning, after she had had a particularly difficult night, the nurse came in with an incredibly upbeat attitude. She was just gleaming. It came as no surprise really, when we learned her name was Joy! Ever since then, "Joy comes in the morning" has had a little bit more meaning to us. 

So... be mindful of your attitude today. Shine your light. Be joyful. Those around you need it! You may not know what their situation is, but everyone can always use a little more light and joy in their lives.