Shine Your Light by Pattie Janzen

Please welcome InScribe member Pattie Janzen as our Guest Blogger today on InScribe Writers Online.

There has been so much strife in the last few weeks, and, as I’m sure many of you have, I’ve felt a weight on my heart. From Iryna Zarulska’s senseless stabbing, to the horrific shootings and assaults happening inside schools and homes, Charlie Kirk's assassination, and a woman shot closer to home—I’m beyond saddened by the condition of our world.

I’ve spent more time praying—not only for the families who are grieving through their personal devastations—but for the people who are living with a level of hatred so harsh that they commit these sorts of acts. If that wasn’t enough, the comments all over social media that applaud these crimes are appalling.

Our enemy preys on hearts and minds, and sometimes it appears as though the darkness is winning, but it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s not! Our fight is, indeed, with principalities and powers, but no matter how frustrated and angry, anxious and worried we might feel, we are not to hate others. Although we may disagree, we must not give room to hatred. Hate the sin—yes—but never the soul. So many souls in our world are in pain—confused and angered. But we know the truth about the deep love of God, who sent His Son to die so that we may be forgiven and set free! He is the power within us, and He makes it possible for us to authentically love one another.

In this world of chaos, we need to remind ourselves that we are the salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:10-16). If we light a candle in the day time, that small bit of flame is hardly noticed. But as the daylight wanes and the darkness creeps in, the fire from one candle can change everything. As our world grows darker, it’s even more important that our lights shine brightly! As believers in Jesus Christ, we are the light in this world. (Matthew 5:14 starts with: “You are the light of the world …”.)

Another verse I find most encouraging for days such as these: “… greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b NASB 1995).

How powerful, and uplifting! If we belong to Him, God is with us and He is GOOD! We have nothing to fear.

I know I’m a very small voice in a sea of people much wiser than I, but this I know as an absolute: I am God’s daughter, and I love Jesus! I’m not perfect or better than anyone else. I’m certainly not sinless, and I’ve acted the hypocrite often, but I have been forgiven by the love of the one and only crucified Saviour! And I will praise Him forever!

God BLESS us all as we write boldly for HIM!

(Top) Image by Pexels on Pixabay

PD Janzen (Pattie) is a published humour columnist, author of five emotion-filled Christian fiction novels, and an inspirational speaker. She’s married to Brian and they reside for half the year in Martensville, SK, and the other half at Good Spirit Lake Bible Camp, where they enjoy helping out all summer. They have three grown children and soon-to-be 14 grandkids. Pattie enjoys sharing encouragement and insights of God’s healing love through her blog at: pdjanzen.com