Celebrating Life in the midst of a Dark World

Saturday I celebrated the first year of life for a close relative of mine. I marveled at his smile and enjoyed the feeling of his hands in mine. When I look at him I realize that there is hope and future for this dark world. I do pray from him and his big sister. I know that some of the things that we experienced when we were young, they will never know.

I think about the deep roots that my parents instilled in me and my siblings. I know that some of those roots have rubbed off on this younger generation. It is a good feeling to know that this close relative's parents have absorbed the lessons their parents have taught them. You may argue that the influences that their parents had was minimal. You may say that the roots have been torn asunder by the societal influences. I disagree. The words spoken by pastors and teachers over the years have created that deep rooted faith. It is the words that sink in deep. They do have a great impact for good or for evil.

Someday those same words will have a great impact on this life as well. These words of Jesus bring light to the darkness. You can't snuff them out. You can't demean them. They are life.

I celebrate life in the world around me. The darkness of this fallen world will attempt to steal my joy and rob me of my happiness. Yet when I look at the priceless moments that a tiny toddler can bring I realize that I don't have to wallow in the darkness. I can celebrate the life he has given to each one of us.

Soon enough our life will be over. When I think about my legacy, I realize that the only legacy that I want is to be known as a follower of Christ. It isn't easy. Some days it is really hard to believe and follow the One who gave me life. I do. I know that whenever I start to go my own way that I falter and fall. I need his guidance.

I cling to the promises God made in his word. He promises eternal life for all who believe. Yes, I know what you are thinking. "How can that be?" "Doesn't everyone die?" Jesus died to save us and bring us to the Lord God. In John 3:16 we read that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have eternal life." In this dark world we only see death and darkness. We can't see the light. Yet we know that there is another world, a heaven above us where there is no darkness at all.

Through Jesus' death and resurrection we are renewed in him. We live through him. Yes, everyone does die, but afterwards we are resurrected to life or to damnation. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior we too can celebrate life in the midst of a dark world.