For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4: 6

Light. Perseverance. Optimism. These are my favorite Biblical images and some of the strongest influences of Christ in my daily life. When life gets me down - as it inevitably does in big ways like the passing of a loved one or small ways like a bad day with my health - I turn to these words for peace and solace. The power of their imagery should not be a surprise. Have you ever experienced awakening in total darkness? The disorientation, confusion and eventually fear? When that happens, I immediately reach for a flashlight, a light switch or even my cell phone. When the light comes on, I settle down and see the path forward.

This is a lesson in God’s power and presence in my life. When I am lost, confused or even bereft, I need to find that switch in prayer or peaceful thought or just plain calling out and then optimism and perseverance return. The tricky and wonderful part is that light shines forth from within all people because we are created in God’s image. 

During Lent, when we are called to add or subtract something from our daily routine. What can we do to let God’s light, perseverance and optimism, shine forth through us? What can we do to recognize those God-given traits in others even others we don’t like or perhaps even fear? What would the world be like if we succeeded in doing so just a tiny bit?

This past year has been a year like we have never seen. We are all hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel, on finding that hope in our brokenness. On finding that light in the very darkness that we often find ourselves in. As we reflect on God’s ‘What If?… through this Lenten season, we are reminded that Jesus, who gave his life for the sake of love and peace and a more just world, is God’s ultimate ‘What If?...’What if the light of God’s presence and glory shines in you, and through the cracks of your brokenness?

Father, you are the light of this world. Thank you for giving me the light of life! Amen. 

Photo by Linus Sandvide on Unsplash