The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it…
At our semi-annual congregation meeting in December, Liz Lafond shared a testimony of the ways ASLC has nurtured her family in faith, life and light. She ended asking, what if this partnership with Able Academics is the most beautiful thing ASLC ever does?
Her question reminded me of the introduction to Jesus in the Gospel of John…
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
In this gospel, from the beginning, it is clear that Jesus is coming into the world to bring light and life to all people, to everyone, but not everyone accepts him and his world-saving mission. But for those that do… for those that accept him and join him in his mission… they receive a new identity that is better than anything they had before and they see God’s glory. And despite the darkness all around, when they join the light, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overtake it or them! What a powerful testimony and invitation!!!
The darkness of uncertainity and change is all around us and yet the light shines in the darkness. Will we accept the light and life and join in God’s world-saving mission? This is a great question to ponder in this new year… a time when people are evaluating their lives and setting new intentions. Will your New Year’s intention/s involve accepting the light and life and joining in God’s world-saving mission? How? We are people of habits and it is very easy to fill our life with habits that prevent us from accepting and participating with God, even though we know that is the only true source of light, life, identity, glory and transformation. What habits and ways of living will you commit to be a part of this mission? What habits and ways of life do you need to let go of and/or let God transform? Spend some time this month filling out the 2024 ASLC stewardship response form which will assist you in leaning into habits and ways of life that help you to consistently make room for God and God’s world-saving mission.
In Christ’s love and light,
Pastor Kari