Night

“Be a light!” That’s what Beth Ann Schaeber said to her boys every day. Before she dropped them off at a friend’s house or their sporting event or when they walked out the door to go to school, “Be a light!” was the last thing they heard. They responded, “Shine bright!” Beth Ann knew that she was sending her kids into a dark world. She knew that they had been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light to reflect the light of Jesus. The apostle Paul gave us the same challenge.

When the night is the darkest; when discouragement hangs over your soul like a thick fog; when getting out of bed becomes the hardest part of your day; when your lips can’t smile; when the smallest chore takes all the energy you have, the Spirit is there praying for you at a depth beyond human words.

God is with us. His name is and will always be Immanuel.

She understood that worship was more than an hour on the weekend.

God is certain. He will hold you steady when your world seems like it is falling apart.

Because of Jesus, we stand before God forgiven and restored. And Satan, the accuser, is sent on his way.

Don’t give up hope. Keep the desires of your heart ignited. Don’t let shattered plans become abandoned plans. It’s the desire to keep pushing forward, to keep hoping, to keep trusting that turns night into day and reminds us that light is near.

They were minding their sheep and minding their business when the angel suddenly appeared. In an instant, the darkness of night turned to brilliant light. The angel, coming from the presence of God, brought with him God’s glory and the place lit up! No wonder the shepherds were terrified. But the angel addressed their fears.