WELCOME THE LIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE
We humans weep for many different reasons --- sometimes in
happiness, but more frequently in sorrow. We experience sorrow from
the loss of loved ones, or of job, health, meaningful relationships,
cherished possessions. These losses often produce tears, and rightly
so. Tears have the beneficial effect of cleansing us of the
intensity of our emotions.
But how frequently do we deal with those strong emotions by
wrapping ourselves in the dark cloaks of anger, fear, vengeance,
bitterness, despair? When we allow these negative emotions to take
control of our lives, we shut out the world, our families and our
friends. We even shut out God.
God created us and loves us so much that he sent his Son Jesus to
be the Light of the world. Jesus came to teach us how to receive and
to share God’s great love. Jesus taught, healed, cleansed and
ultimately died on the cross to atone for our sins.
When we persist in hanging onto our negative feelings, we close
ourselves off from the light of God’s love and grace. Let us shed
our tears quickly so that the darkness of our anguish departs with
the night. Only then can we welcome the light of a new dawn with the
joy of knowing the hope, love and forgiveness that God showers upon
us through his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we welcome this new dawn, we can truly say with the psalmist,
“You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my
sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you
and not be silent.”
Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son,
the Light of the world. Help us to shed the darkness in our own
lives and to reach out to others to share the light of your love.
Amen
Marjorie E. Bender
