“Then God said, ‘Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care] and for marking seasons, days, and years.'” (Genesis 1:14 AMP)

I am sitting here by my big window, watching dawn bear its daily message. Today, it rises pinkly, turning to crimson with streaks of purples and blues in the morning sky. Every sunrise is unique in God’s hands, designed as a useful reminder to us who are up to see it, like a marker-lettered notice posted about a neighbourhood event.

Like this daily, heavenly phenomenon of light, we believers are also commissioned to be light-bearers. Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14 NIV). Jesus Himself is the Light:

“There it was — the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.” (John 1:9 AMP)

A Broadway play in the 1960s produced a common slogan: Stop the world — I want to get off! But there is a purpose for why you and I are alive in this world today. Each of us was made particularly to bear witness to the Light in our every action, thought, and word, shining the truth. Some of the very first songs that we are taught in Sunday School are about being little lights to shine for our heavenly Father wherever we are, even if it is in a small corner rather than on the world stage. Another song says that when we choose to shine our light of faith and hope, we are being a sunbeam, echoing the heavens once more.

This is my Father’s world, as the hymn asserts, “He is the Ruler yet.” “Though the wrong seems oft so strong,” the world is not to be despised or rejected, as some still do today. Some blame God for the darkness. Yet, every single day, God provides us with a new dawn, a useful reminder of what we need to be up and doing: “Let there be light-bearers.” God commissions and sends all believers to be useful in a dark time, with all joy, bearing the light of salvation. We have the honour of becoming signs and tokens of God’s provident care, marking our seasons, days and years, and sharing God’s salvation, mercy, and forgiveness to all around.

Prayer: There is a wideness in Your mercy, our loving heavenly Father. We say that and sing that because You have set the heavens to remind us of Your providence, the evidence of Your loving care for us, a fact that we cannot deny. You have marked out the seasons of our lives. Change the way that we think, Lord, that we may worship You with hearts full of joy and praise, even in the midst of tribulation. May our lights shine forth for You, wherever we are. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Rose DeShaw
Kingston, Ontario, Canada