This past Sunday we had the opportunity to be encouraged and taught by Paul Cunningham, a student at Beeson Divinity School. He was discussing the idea of "Living as witnesses to Christ's resurrection" and he brought us through history using the illustration of darkness and light.

In the beginning the world was in darkness... and God said, "Let there be light." After a period of time living in light (Adam and Eve in the garden), sin (us trying to be god) entered and the world was plunged into a time of "spiritual darkness." When Jesus came and lived among us, the world again caught a glimpse of what "living in the light" looks like. He was a beam of light living in the midst of the darkness. Of course, being that we (mankind) would prefer to not have someone among us that gives off light (it is difficult to live as we want when it is exposed by the light), we put the light (Jesus) on a cross and tried to obliterate it. Little did we know that God had already figured on this and he fooled us by doing what only he could do.... raised "the light" from the dead and made it possible for the rest of us to, now that we have seen how again, live as light also. Jesus' resurrection and God's gift of grace puts those that desire to be his followers (the church, his body, his disciples) in the position of "being the light" in the midst of a dark world until he returns.

I get to hang out with a great group of high school students during our class times and I asked them to describe what the "darkness" looks like in their life. Where did they see evidence of their world being in darkness? They struggled for a time to answer and then they started naming things like at concerts (kids smoking, toking, drinking, etc), in A-hall (this is a particular hallway and staircase where students hang out playing "tonsil-hockey" (their word, not mine, but it sure was a blast from the past!!). One mentioned that he sees darkness in his siblings and another admitted his own darkness in how he treats parents and family, etc.

I then asked them what it might look like for them to be a ray of light in the darkness around them. In other words, how do we "really" be Jesus (the light) in the midst of the darkness. We focused in for a minute on the concert. The way it was described was that this student went to a concert with a few friends to support another friend who was in one of the bands performing. He described the scene as being that he and his friends were about the only ones there who were not doing things that would be the opposite of what a disciple of Jesus might be doing. He said that he and his friends pretty much just went over to a corner and stayed to themselves. We then thought about Jesus and how he was ridiculed and mocked for hanging out with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. He did not avoid the darkness, he got in the middle of it.

So what would a "ray of light" look like in the midst of the "darkness" at the concert or in A-hall or with those evil siblings? Living as witnesses to Christ's resurrection is an opportunity to be light in the darkness. At a concert, maybe we get involved in conversations about the music with everyone and anyone and not avoid those conversations or interactions. Who knows how God may develop those relationships. Maybe we make room in our schedule to have lunch with someone we see hanging in A-hall. Not for a come-to-Jesus talk or a one time thing, but because we are willing to make room for a new relationship in our life that may somehow be used by God. Maybe we choose to respond differently to the "evil siblings" and not participate in the sibling war. Maybe we try to love in ways we haven't before.

One reason Jesus was able to be light in the darkness was because he was willing to invest in the lives of those around him, those who he came in contact with. He gave of himself and trusted God to be with him. He exhibited humility and selflessness. A willingness to become a servant to all. Can't we also be willing to humble ourselves so that we put the good of others above our own wishes and wants? Can't we stop being too selfish to give up our time and energy so as to open ourselves up to those around us? Are we willing to trust God as we live as light in the midst of the darkness?

Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, "Jesus Christ is Lord!"

Philippians 2:1-11