When we yoke ourselves together with Jesus, He carries the load upon His shoulders, and His peace and rest come into our lives. His grace carries us while we walk alongside Him, connected to Him, trusting His ways over our own. - Emily Rose Massey

SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:

Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

When we yoke ourselves together with Jesus, He carries the load upon His shoulders, and His peace and rest come into our lives. His grace carries us while we walk alongside Him, connected to Him, trusting His ways over our own. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts: Your Daily Prayer: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/</a> Your Daily Bible Verse: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/</a>

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Running to Christ to Find Rest

We all make plans. Career goals. Ministry dreams. Personal ambitions. There’s nothing wrong with vision and drive—but Proverbs 16:9 gently reminds us who truly directs the path: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

God often plants desires within us long before we see how they will unfold. The key is not striving to force the outcome, but surrendering the process to the Holy Spirit. When we move forward prayerfully, seek wise counsel, and stay attentive to God’s nudges, He positions us exactly where we need to be—sometimes in ways that exceed what we imagined.

Highlights


God often plants dreams in our hearts before revealing the path forward


Prayer and discernment are essential before taking the next step


Wise counsel helps confirm whether a desire aligns with God’s will


Success is evidence of God’s guidance, not merely our effort


The Holy Spirit leads faithfully when we move step by step in obedience

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

Let the Spirit Guide Your Steps
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” - Proverbs 16:9

Many years ago, I began to sense in my heart that God wanted me to become a literary agent. This was in addition to my career as an author, and I wanted to help fellow authors get their work into the hands of audiences. However, I had no clue how to get started. One day, I was talking with my husband on a long drive. He asked me what I would do with my life if I weren't an author.

Immediately, I blurted out, “I want to be a literary agent.” After I realized the weight of what I had said, we talked it through. He asked me to speak with my agent regarding the steps in that regard. I had a conversation with my agent, and in a few short months, he had signed me to his agency. 

Although I was excited about this new venture, I was still unsure whether I was qualified or even had the business sense to do the task. Although there were no books or manuals on how to become a literary agent, I knew that if I listened to the Holy Spirit, He would guide me step by step. 

I have now been with the agency for eight years. Of the 130 books sold, almost 1/4 are my deals. It is shocking to think that I have made that many deals in the eight short years that I've worked for him. Yet when God has nudged me, and I have used my gift of discernment and wisdom to sign a client or shop around their deals, God has placed their work in the right hands at the right time.

The prideful side of me can boast that I did all that on my own. But the humble (or rational) side of me understands that unless the Holy Spirit was guiding my steps, I never could have done any of that on my own. 

God was good and allowed me to use my gifts and my heart to help others receive the gospel message through different genres of books and get them into the hands of readers. People are being blessed because of my diligence in working with publishers and getting authors the right deals at the right time. 

As humans, we have many plans and desires. While there's nothing wrong with having goals and visions for our lives, we need to make sure those desires and dreams align with God's will. Although it is not entirely possible to know whether our desires are our own or from the Lord, it is essential to follow God's guidance step by step. 

Is there an area of your life that you feel you want to take the next step, but don't know how? Do you question whether this desire God has placed on your heart is from God or from yourself?

The best way to know whether this is from God is to pray about it. Additionally, we need to surround ourselves with godly people who have been through life and are willing not only to pray for us and our triumphs but also to challenge us when we're down. If we're making a bad decision, we need to surround ourselves with people we can test these words on and know whether they're from God or from us. 

A person who goes about making decisions without carefully weighing them, with those they trust, or who would have a warning from a loved one, will only make matters worse. With God, the decision they make is not irreversible. Still, it could pose a significant danger to their future if they make haphazard decisions without first allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their steps.

Father, let us be people who listen to you. Let us allow you to orient our steps. Let us take each day as an opportunity to take a baby step in faith toward what you are calling us to. Let us be people who listen to others and keep our word, so we can make all the decisions for you. Amen. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What decision do you need to make today that you need the guidance of the Spirit? What will you do to enlist his help today?

Further Reading:
Philippians 1:6

We all make plans. Career goals. Ministry dreams. Personal ambitions. There&rsquo;s nothing wrong with vision and drive&mdash;but Proverbs 16:9 gently reminds us who truly directs the path: &ldquo;In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.&rdquo;
God often plants desires within us long before we see how they will unfold. The key is not striving to force the outcome, but surrendering the process to the Holy Spirit. When we move forward prayerfully, seek wise counsel, and stay attentive to God&rsquo;s nudges, He positions us exactly where we need to be&mdash;sometimes in ways that exceed what we imagined.
Highlights
<ul data-start="1136" data-end="1492">
<li data-start="1136" data-end="1211">
God often plants dreams in our hearts before revealing the path forward
</li>
<li data-start="1212" data-end="1280">
Prayer and discernment are essential before taking the next step
</li>
<li data-start="1281" data-end="1351">
Wise counsel helps confirm whether a desire aligns with God&rsquo;s will
</li>
<li data-start="1352" data-end="1416">
Success is evidence of God&rsquo;s guidance, not merely our effort
</li>
<li data-start="1417" data-end="1492">
The Holy Spirit leads faithfully when we move step by step in obedience
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Spirit Guide Your Steps By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading: &ldquo;In their hearts humans plan their course, but the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;establishes their steps.&rdquo; - Proverbs 16:9
Many years ago, I began to sense in my heart that God wanted me to become a literary agent. This was in addition to my career as an author, and I wanted to help fellow authors get their work into the hands of audiences. However, I had no clue how to get started. One day, I was talking with my husband on a long drive. He asked me what I would do with my life if I weren't an author.
Immediately, I blurted out, &ldquo;I want to be a literary agent.&rdquo; After I realized the weight of what I had said, we talked it through. He asked me to speak with my agent regarding the steps in that regard. I had a conversation with my agent, and in a few short months, he had signed me to his agency.&nbsp;
Although I was excited about this new venture, I was still unsure whether I was qualified or even had the business sense to do the task. Although there were no books or manuals on how to become a literary agent, I knew that if I listened to the Holy Spirit, He would guide me step by step.&nbsp;
I have now been with the agency for eight years. Of the 130 books sold, almost 1/4 are my deals. It is shocking to think that I have made that many deals in the eight short years that I've worked for him. Yet when God has nudged me, and I have used my gift of discernment and wisdom to sign a client or shop around their deals, God has placed their work in the right hands at the right time.
The prideful side of me can boast that I did all that on my own. But the humble (or rational) side of me understands that unless the Holy Spirit was guiding my steps, I never could have done any of that on my own.&nbsp;
God was good and allowed me to use my gifts and my heart to help others receive the gospel message through different genres of books and get them into the hands of readers. People are being blessed because of my diligence in working with publishers and getting authors the right deals at the right time.&nbsp;
As humans, we have many plans and desires. While there's nothing wrong with having goals and visions for our lives, we need to make sure those desires and dreams align with God's will. Although it is not entirely possible to know whether our desires are our own or from the Lord, it is essential to follow God's guidance step by step.&nbsp;
Is there an area of your life that you feel you want to take the next step, but don't know how? Do you question whether this desire God has placed on your heart is from God or from yourself?
The best way to know whether this is from God is to pray about it. Additionally, we need to surround ourselves with godly people who have been through life and are willing not only to pray for us and our triumphs but also to challenge us when we're down. If we're making a bad decision, we need to surround ourselves with people we can test these words on and know whether they're from God or from us.&nbsp;
A person who goes about making decisions without carefully weighing them, with those they trust, or who would have a warning from a loved one, will only make matters worse. With God, the decision they make is not irreversible. Still, it could pose a significant danger to their future if they make haphazard decisions without first allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their steps.
Father, let us be people who listen to you. Let us allow you to orient our steps. Let us take each day as an opportunity to take a baby step in faith toward what you are calling us to. Let us be people who listen to others and keep our word, so we can make all the decisions for you. Amen.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What decision do you need to make today that you need the guidance of the Spirit? What will you do to enlist his help today?
Further Reading: Philippians 1:6

Let the Spirit Guide Your Steps

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/0511aca2-8587-4486-b694-b3f301453945/transcript

There’s something powerful about anticipation. When you know something wonderful is ahead—a long-awaited trip, a celebration, a reunion—you carry that joy with you before it even arrives. It changes how you move through ordinary days.

Psalm 31:19 reminds us that we don’t have to manufacture excitement or engineer constant highlights to feel hope. God already has good stored up for His children. His goodness isn’t random, fragile, or dependent on our planning. It is abundant, intentional, and secure.

The beauty of faith is this: even when we cannot see the details of what’s ahead, we know the character of the One who holds tomorrow. And that is more than enough reason for joy.

Key Scripture

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” — Psalm 31:19

Highlights


Anticipation shapes our perspective—even before the blessing arrives


God’s goodness isn’t limited to heaven; He blesses us here and now


Our plans are fragile, but God’s promises are faithful


We can hold joy in the unknown because we know God’s character


The goodness God has stored up surpasses what we could imagine for ourselves

Intersecting Faith & Life


Are you constantly trying to create something to look forward to?


What would change if you truly believed that God already has good ahead for you?


Today, shift your hope from circumstances you control to the character of the God who controls tomorrow.

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

The Goodness of God That Awaits You

By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. - Psalm 31:19

I don’t desire to be surprised much anymore. Not in specific ways like I once did, anyway. I used to have this dream of being suddenly and spontaneously whisked away on a tropical getaway. With bags pre-packed, child-care pre-planned, and every detail prepared. That is, until I went on enough planned vacations and experienced all the extra enjoyment that’s front-loaded in the anticipation of the known good to come. Think about it. It’s extremely hard to get excited about something awesome you have no idea is about to happen. But if you know the grand plan that’s ahead, you can hold great hope. You can even make it through the mundane and monotonous moments of life while your eyes feast on the beauty and sparkle that dangle in front of you. 

And for this reason, I’ve been overly guilty of always attempting to have something fun planned in order to consistently have something to look forward to. But honestly, I’m not super proud of this heart posture. And here’s why. I know God is good. I know he has given me good on this very day. I know he is faithful and will continue to show up with good gifts in every single season of my life. And so I know I should be holding tighter to these truths. 

How about you? Do you like surprises? Or would you prefer to know what’s coming so you can enjoy the anticipation? Maybe you’ll take either, you just like any reason to smile and celebrate. I get that too.

Well, what if we could approach every day like we know vacation is coming tomorrow? What if we knew that what was ahead was going to be fantastic and full of blessings? And what if I told you, it’s true. Because it is. The Bible promises that God has good in store for us, for those who love him.

There is indeed beauty and sparkle ahead. We can be confident in that. We can get excited about that. Because it most definitely and abundantly is true. I know you can’t always see and perceive it. But honestly, I can’t actually see the exact sweetness that will show up in my upcoming vacations either. I can dream up scenarios. But to be honest, sometimes it’s not as good as what I dreamed of. My human hopes are flimsy and fallible, and they fail me. And whatever you can create or plan or try to control to your liking is unreliable and lacks certain goodness, too. But our faith shouldn’t be in the good we can manifest and make happen; our faith should be in the unfailing goodness of our mighty and good God.

And what’s amazing about God is that what he has in store is even better than what we have dreamed up. Because His plans and ways are good and perfect and always more full of blessing than ours. So we can stay excited in the unknown because of what is known. For those of us who love God, he has good in store. An abundance of good. And not just in heaven—though that is our ultimate hope and joy—but he also has blessings to bestow in our sight here on earth. This is a promise worth getting excited about today and every day.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Instead of becoming consumed with constantly creating exciting circumstances, or demanding and dictating our own ideal situations, we can set our hope-filled hearts and hold a joy-filled faith in God’s goodness. We can hold hope and joy that an awesome tomorrow is coming. And then another and another. Because our good God is awesome. And he has abundant and good things stored up for you who love him, for you he loves. 

If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!

There&rsquo;s something powerful about anticipation. When you know something wonderful is ahead&mdash;a long-awaited trip, a celebration, a reunion&mdash;you carry that joy with you before it even arrives. It changes how you move through ordinary days.
Psalm 31:19 reminds us that we don&rsquo;t have to manufacture excitement or engineer constant highlights to feel hope. God already has good stored up for His children. His goodness isn&rsquo;t random, fragile, or dependent on our planning. It is abundant, intentional, and secure.
The beauty of faith is this: even when we cannot see the details of what&rsquo;s ahead, we know the character of the One who holds tomorrow. And that is more than enough reason for joy.
Key Scripture
<blockquote data-start="914" data-end="1088">
&ldquo;How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.&rdquo; &mdash; Psalm 31:19
</blockquote>
Highlights
<ul data-start="1107" data-end="1457">
<li data-start="1107" data-end="1179">
Anticipation shapes our perspective&mdash;even before the blessing arrives
</li>
<li data-start="1180" data-end="1250">
God&rsquo;s goodness isn&rsquo;t limited to heaven; He blesses us here and now
</li>
<li data-start="1251" data-end="1309">
Our plans are fragile, but God&rsquo;s promises are faithful
</li>
<li data-start="1310" data-end="1376">
We can hold joy in the unknown because we know God&rsquo;s character
</li>
<li data-start="1377" data-end="1457">
The goodness God has stored up surpasses what we could imagine for ourselves
</li>
</ul>
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life
<ul data-start="1491" data-end="1754">
<li data-start="1491" data-end="1560">
Are you constantly trying to create something to look forward to?
</li>
<li data-start="1561" data-end="1645">
What would change if you truly believed that God already has good ahead for you?
</li>
<li data-start="1646" data-end="1754">
Today, shift your hope from circumstances you control to the character of the God who controls tomorrow.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
The Goodness of God That Awaits You
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading: How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. - Psalm 31:19
I don&rsquo;t desire to be surprised much anymore. Not in specific ways like I once did, anyway. I used to have this dream of being suddenly and spontaneously whisked away on a tropical getaway. With bags pre-packed, child-care pre-planned, and every detail prepared. That is, until I went on enough planned vacations and experienced all the extra enjoyment that&rsquo;s front-loaded in the anticipation of the known good to come. Think about it. It&rsquo;s extremely hard to get excited about something awesome you have no idea is about to happen. But if you know the grand plan that&rsquo;s ahead, you can hold great hope. You can even make it through the mundane and monotonous moments of life while your eyes feast on the beauty and sparkle that dangle in front of you.&nbsp;
And for this reason, I&rsquo;ve been overly guilty of always attempting to have something fun planned in order to consistently have something to look forward to. But honestly, I&rsquo;m not super proud of this heart posture. And here&rsquo;s why. I know God is good. I know he has given me good on this very day. I know he is faithful and will continue to show up with good gifts in every single season of my life. And so I know I should be holding tighter to these truths.&nbsp;
How about you? Do you like surprises? Or would you prefer to know what&rsquo;s coming so you can enjoy the anticipation? Maybe you&rsquo;ll take either, you just like any reason to smile and celebrate. I get that too.
Well, what if we could approach every day like we know vacation is coming tomorrow? What if we knew that what was ahead was going to be fantastic and full of blessings? And what if I told you, it&rsquo;s true. Because it is. The Bible promises that God has good in store for us, for those who love him.
There is indeed beauty and sparkle ahead. We can be confident in that. We can get excited about that. Because it most definitely and abundantly is true. I know you can&rsquo;t always see and perceive it. But honestly, I can&rsquo;t actually see the exact sweetness that will show up in my upcoming vacations either. I can dream up scenarios. But to be honest, sometimes it&rsquo;s not as good as what I dreamed of. My human hopes are flimsy and fallible, and they fail me. And whatever you can create or plan or try to control to your liking is unreliable and lacks certain goodness, too. But our faith shouldn&rsquo;t be in the good we can manifest and make happen; our faith should be in the unfailing goodness of our mighty and good God.
And what&rsquo;s amazing about God is that what he has in store is even better than what we have dreamed up. Because His plans and ways are good and perfect and always more full of blessing than ours. So we can stay excited in the unknown because of what is known. For those of us who love God, he has good in store. An abundance of good. And not just in heaven&mdash;though that is our ultimate hope and joy&mdash;but he also has blessings to bestow in our sight here on earth. This is a promise worth getting excited about today and every day.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Instead of becoming consumed with constantly creating exciting circumstances, or demanding and dictating our own ideal situations, we can set our hope-filled hearts and hold a joy-filled faith in God&rsquo;s goodness. We can hold hope and joy that an awesome tomorrow is coming. And then another and another. Because our good God is awesome. And he has abundant and good things stored up for you who love him, for you he loves.&nbsp;
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, <a href="https://a.co/d/058wHte">Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes</a>. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!

The Goodness of God That Awaits You

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/bc780b60-5c61-4f8a-ac68-b3f301409101/transcript

It doesn’t take long to notice the darkness in our world. Tragedy, injustice, division—it can feel constant and overwhelming. We’re often told that to care deeply means to sit in the darkness indefinitely. But Jesus gives a different calling in Matthew 5:14–16: we are the light of the world.

Key Scripture

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16

Highlights


Christians are called to acknowledge darkness without dwelling in it


God’s kingdom—marked by peace, joy, and love—is a greater reality than despair


“Prophetic imagination” helps us envision renewal where others see only ruin


A small light can dispel great darkness when we carry Christ’s presence faithfully


Being light is not about prominence or power—it’s about faithful presence

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

Children of God, Children of Light 

By Deidre Braley 

Bible Reading:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16

It is easy to see the darkness in our world—that is no earth-shattering statement. We live in a world where terrible things happen, and where it is expected that we dwell in the darkness in the name of empathy. We are told that it is hypocrisy and a privilege to look away, and so we stare into it until it engulfs us too. We think this is what it means to “mourn with those who mourn.” We think this is love. 

But as children of God, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the darkness, and even to address it, without allowing it to swallow up the Light to which we belong. We are not powerless victims in the face of darkness. We are image-bearers of a King who reigns with peace, and joy, and love. It is hard to believe, but these are an even more powerful reality than the darkness. And it is our job to speak of—and live within!—this reality in a way that illuminates every place where the kingdom of God is already in our midst here on Earth. This is not toxic positivity—this is what biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann calls our prophetic imagination, which is our ability to engage with God’s power and potential for newness. It is to live within the expansive mind of God, rather than the closed reality of this world. 

Henri Nouwen puts it this way: 

People who have come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. They point each other to flashes of light here and there, and remind each other that they reveal the hidden but real presence of God. 

The Return of the Prodigal Son, p. 117 

As Jesus said, we are the light of the world. This is not to say that, as children of God, we are superior, or that we deserve platforms and prominence and loudspeakers and political power. It is to say that we carry a flame inside our spirits that was given to us by the Spirit, and that it is our job to bring it into every place we set foot and to say, “Here. I know it is dark. But come now, I have a little light. And a little light goes a long way.” It is to use our prophetic imagination to spin a picture of renewal in places where, right now, it seems too dark to see.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

I once had an employer who said, “Don’t come to me with a problem just to complain. Come to me with a solution, and then we’ll have something to work with.” 

I think of this often whenever I spend time on social media, where it seems that people are shouting about problems without offering even a whisper of a solution. As people of the Light, we were made to rush toward the darkness not so we can stay and ruminate in it—but rather, to illuminate it. 

Admittedly, it’s easier said than done. In truth, the dark sometimes feels very dark. In times when we struggle to believe that the light is more powerful than the dark, or that the light even exists at all, here is a helpful prayer to try: 

Lord,
Right now, the dark feels very dark. Please help me to see what’s in front of me through thelens of your imagination. Show me where newness is possible. Let me see what you’re doinghere, and sharpen my perception of your kingdom in our midst. Help me to see the light.Help me to be the light.
Amen. 

Further Reading:
John 8:12 

2 Corinthians 4 

The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

It doesn&rsquo;t take long to notice the darkness in our world. Tragedy, injustice, division&mdash;it can feel constant and overwhelming. We&rsquo;re often told that to care deeply means to sit in the darkness indefinitely. But Jesus gives a different calling in Matthew 5:14&ndash;16: we are the light of the world.
Key Scripture
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&ldquo;You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden&hellip; let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.&rdquo; &mdash; Matthew 5:14&ndash;16
</blockquote>
Highlights
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<li data-start="1209" data-end="1281">
Christians are called to acknowledge darkness without dwelling in it
</li>
<li data-start="1282" data-end="1364">
God&rsquo;s kingdom&mdash;marked by peace, joy, and love&mdash;is a greater reality than despair
</li>
<li data-start="1365" data-end="1445">
&ldquo;Prophetic imagination&rdquo; helps us envision renewal where others see only ruin
</li>
<li data-start="1446" data-end="1532">
A small light can dispel great darkness when we carry Christ&rsquo;s presence faithfully
</li>
<li data-start="1533" data-end="1610">
Being light is not about prominence or power&mdash;it&rsquo;s about faithful presence
</li>
</ul>
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Full Transcript Below:
Children of God, Children of Light&nbsp;
By Deidre Braley&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
It is easy to see the darkness in our world&mdash;that is no earth-shattering statement. We live in a world where terrible things happen, and where it is expected that we dwell in the darkness in the name of empathy. We are told that it is hypocrisy and a privilege to look away, and so we stare into it until it engulfs us too. We think this is what it means to &ldquo;mourn with those who mourn.&rdquo; We think this is love.&nbsp;
But as children of God, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the darkness, and even to address it, without allowing it to swallow up the Light to which we belong. We are not powerless victims in the face of darkness. We are image-bearers of a King who reigns with peace, and joy, and love. It is hard to believe, but these are an even more powerful reality than the darkness. And it is our job to speak of&mdash;and live within!&mdash;this reality in a way that illuminates every place where the kingdom of God is already in our midst here on Earth. This is not toxic positivity&mdash;this is what biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann calls our prophetic imagination, which is our ability to engage with God&rsquo;s power and potential for newness. It is to live within the expansive mind of God, rather than the closed reality of this world.&nbsp;
Henri Nouwen puts it this way:&nbsp;
People who have come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. They point each other to flashes of light here and there, and remind each other that they reveal the hidden but real presence of God.&nbsp;
The Return of the Prodigal Son, p. 117&nbsp;
As Jesus said, we are the light of the world. This is not to say that, as children of God, we are superior, or that we deserve platforms and prominence and loudspeakers and political power. It is to say that we carry a flame inside our spirits that was given to us by the Spirit, and that it is our job to bring it into every place we set foot and to say, &ldquo;Here. I know it is dark. But come now, I have a little light. And a little light goes a long way.&rdquo; It is to use our prophetic imagination to spin a picture of renewal in places where, right now, it seems too dark to see.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
I once had an employer who said, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t come to me with a problem just to complain. Come to me with a solution, and then we&rsquo;ll have something to work with.&rdquo;&nbsp;
I think of this often whenever I spend time on social media, where it seems that people are shouting about problems without offering even a whisper of a solution. As people of the Light, we were made to rush toward the darkness not so we can stay and ruminate in it&mdash;but rather, to illuminate it.&nbsp;
Admittedly, it&rsquo;s easier said than done. In truth, the dark sometimes feels very dark. In times when we struggle to believe that the light is more powerful than the dark, or that the light even exists at all, here is a helpful prayer to try:&nbsp;
Lord, Right now, the dark feels very dark. Please help me to see what&rsquo;s in front of me through the lens of your imagination. Show me where newness is possible. Let me see what you&rsquo;re doing here, and sharpen my perception of your kingdom in our midst. Help me to see the light. Help me to be the light. Amen.&nbsp;
Further Reading: John 8:12&nbsp;
2 Corinthians 4&nbsp;
The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

Children of God, Children of Light

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