Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -Colossians 3:1

It’s Sunday. He is risen indeed! There is MUCH to be celebrated today.

Even as I anticipate the celebration I’ll be attending, I recognize that many don’t celebrate for the same (true) reason I do. Some are celebrating a rabbit and looming spring. Still others won’t be celebrating at all.

They still don’t know there’s a reason to celebrate.

My joy is bittersweet because I know in my heart of hearts it’s not yet complete. My joy mingles with melancholy as I remember many of my dear brothers and sisters haven’t yet experienced the love, joy, freedom; the resurrection available to them.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has risen. Because He did, His resurrection is now available to us.

We’ve received it. And I think we need to acknowledge the fallen world we’re free of, yet still living in. We no longer walk in darkness. People once in darkness have seen a Great Light (Isaiah 9:2). What should we do then, now that we’ve seen the light? Well, we certainly aren’t called to keep it to ourselves.

The world is increasingly adverse to this message of love and freedom. We’re all shiny over here and many are like, “Keep that light to yourself! We don’t want to hear about it!” Then what? Do we allow frosty hearts change our behavior? Do we stop trying? How, then, do bitterly cold hearts ever warm?

You are light. You are love. Chilly receptions are an absence of heat, of light…but it need not have a bearing on your brightness or warmth. You, in Christ, do you. Be the light. Set your heart on things above. BE the change you desire for others. SHOW them God’s goodness.

Live as people of light.

The world is getting colder. Darker. While it could be discouraging, I choose a different perspective: the colder it gets…the brighter our light looks, the warmer our open arms appear. This present darkness and chill are illusions with no bearing on THE Light, our warmth. It only points more thoroughly to our desperate need OF resurrection. Our, and their, need for Jesus.

Be. Light. Live like Jesus. Watch the world change, shift…beginning with you.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! -Ephesians 5:8

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. -Philippians 4:5