“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:8-9
It feels good to encourage people who have a lot on their plates. Whenever my friends feel troubled, they always come to me for advice. I tell them to stop believing the lies in their headーthat they are not enough, ugly, or useless! I encourage them by saying how important, unique, and loved they are. I want them to know that there are answers to their problems. I also pray for them. This is how I make Jesus known to them. I choose to see them according to how God sees them, not how others would judge them. God always has the final say about us!
These verses instruct us that we should live in the light. I believe that living in the light is to simply model how Jesus lived. Jesus gave hope to the hopeless. He showed love to us by saving us! As a follower of Christ, it is only appropriate to release love, hope, and goodness to others in whatever way it will be. No act is too small when it is meant to glorify God. Our simple yes to His command of loving our neighbors is already a step further on making the world a better place!
Let us remember that He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world. He is the very light within us that urges us to do the right thing. So let us allow that light to shine through! Keep on shining!
Sophia Yadao