About 2000 years ago at Antioch of Syria, a group of people were identified. The core of their identity was a product of the reconciliatory gesture extended to the fallen man by God. These believers who became known as Christians had beheld, to the extent that they became, the radiance of God’s glory. This grace of God had made them unique individuals who, like as radiant light shines out of darkness, provided a clear contrast to their location. As they received, so they gave. This same level of grace is available and working today with same

measure of potency. Millions have contacted this grace of salvation paid for on the cross with sweat

and blood. However, even though grace abounds more in the presence of darkness, the observant believer will

notice that darkness is also greatly multiplying in the world in which he lives. This darkness may even stand, staring him in the face. It becomes imperative therefore, that he must rise in the midst of this darkness, fast enough before he finds himself swallowed up. He must awake from his sleep and strengthen every feeble knee to walk in the reality of this grace. It is a call not only to babes in the spirit but also to the mature alike, for as Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10: 12, the mature Christian must take heed, with the realization that his maturity is

dependent on his level of dependence on God without whom he can do nothing. The believer must also understand that rising is not enough. As he rises, he must recognize and set his gaze upon the source of his shine. Failure of recognition of this spark may keep him wandering in endless cycles of futility in the midst of this looming darkness, in which he may even embrace fireflies as the source of his light. These flies, themselves distractions and false representations of the true light, may be blown away by the wind or eaten by the preying insect, taking him back to the darkness he seeks to shine through.

Like John the Baptist, every burning and shining light must be a product of a spark from God and as the Psalmist echoes in Psalms 18:28-29, He must light our lamps for us to truly shine. It is my earnest prayer that everyone reading this will position their hearts and fix their gaze intently on the spark that will ignite them to burn and shine as lights in this darkness. Amen.

IORLUMUN USHAHEMBA GODWIN