A Light in Your Home: A Story of Hope

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April 25, 2020

There is no doubt we are living through one of the most bizarre seasons anyone in our day and age has experienced. On one hand, we are practicing extensive distancing and, on the other, we are connecting rapidly with people online, as well as with those we live in close quarters with.

Being cooped up at home with family members for extended periods of time can bring out both the best and worst in us. For the believer, it can almost feel like this is a time to “coast” in our faith and wait out the storm. After all, who can we be a witness to while confined to our homes?

Photo by Grant Durr on Unsplash

A good friend of mine recently shared how being “stuck” at home has provided unique opportunities for her to share her faith with her mother and father who don’t attend church. My friend attends the Farmington Hills campus and serves with the student ministry. On a Sunday night, the team hosted a large Zoom meeting for all the students and leaders to enjoy a time of worship, games, and prayer.

When my friend joined in, her mother heard the worship music playing and became curious, so she came in the room to listen. They then invited her father to join for a game, who ended up sticking around for the rest of the program. What a wonderful and unexpected opportunity to witness, which would’ve otherwise been missed.

“For my parents who do not attend church and one who does not know Jesus, they got to see a large group church happening in our home. So thankful for God using Farmington Hills Student Ministries to show my parents what community is and what God’s love does to us.”

Why do stories like this matter? I think they show us something quite remarkable: people are watching your life. So ask yourself, what do they see? Whether it is your friends online or your family members at home, how are you demonstrating hope in a time marked by hopelessness?

In Matthew 5:14-16, it says:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Jesus did not say, “go and be a light to outsiders and then clock-out when you get home.” He said we are to be lights in the world, in and outside of the home. Giving light is not just something we do, but it should be who we are.

Giving light is not just something we do, but it should be who we are

To cover a lamp with a basket would be impractical and useless. Likewise, to behold the light of the world within us and hide it is the most unloving thing we can do.

What I love about my friend’s story and this passage are the revelation that to be a light in the world is quite simple. In all that you do, let your light shine, and the Spirit who works within us and around us will draw people to the light. We are just the vessels. He provides the light.

Being a light (especially in the home) isn’t always easy when we have battles of our own we are facing. Because even the believer faces some dark nights where light seems dim and hope seems distant. Be encouraged, brother and sister, even Jesus had some dark days, and He empathizes with you.

That is the beauty of it. Being a light does not mean we have to be perfect or not have human emotions. Our shortcomings (impatience, temper, frustration, etc.) are stepping stools for the Holy Spirit to do His most mighty work in us. He helps us in our weakness, ministering to our hearts and interceding for us (Romans 8:26-27).

Dark days will come, and it will be on those days the world (and our families) need light the most. This is why we must learn to practice in season and out of season how to seek the Lord and put our trust in Him.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:4