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I recently saw a video on-line called The Atheist Delusion, featuring interviews by Ray Comfort. Most of those interviewed were young people, who claimed to be atheists; in their teen years they failed to see believable evidence for the existence of God, and so concluded that belief in Him made no sense. There was a desire for compelling evidence to change their minds, and Ray continued by showing them incidences of intelligent design for the amazing life and creation which circles around us daily.
I feel so troubled by widespread atheism among young people. It made me think of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16: "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 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". (ESV)
Have you seen images of the world sent by the international space station, circling silently above us? The lights of the world's cities can be seen out in space. Perhaps you have been driving at night on a dark highway, and approach a brightly lit town set high on a hill; even from a distance you can't take your eyes off of it. The strong beacon of a lighthouse in the night guides ships to a safe harbour and warns of treacherous reefs; no one would even think of covering the beacon or building one where no ship’s crew could see it!
The light of our Lord Jesus is needed now more than ever, because our world is in darkness. The young people who see no evidence of God's existence need us to show and display a distinct faith, because we can’t affect the world for God if we are too much like it to be noticed. Christians have received the light of salvation and God’s guidance, but we can't just live for ourselves; we need others to shine that light to! Jesus does not produce secret Christians; He knew they would be tempted to hide their light rather than attract the attention and enmity of those who hate God's truth.
We are to take up the amazing opportunities which the world's crisis provides, and live so that people will see the beautiful change that God’s love makes in our lives. Those who are lost can find the road home. Can you pray today for someone who has no faith? Pray that God will lead you to speak to someone who needs compelling evidence that He lives. Be the city on the hill.
Prayer: Sing with me: Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, like a little candle burning in the night. In this world of darkness, so let us shine -- you in your small corner, and I in mine. (S. Warner, 1819-1885). Thank you, Lord, for the light which shines in our hearts; let us not live to ourselves but be guided to others to shine to. Amen.
Shirley Moulton
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