Living GRACE-fully

For Lent this year, I am praying with the devotional, The Ignatian Workout for Lent, by Tim Muldoon.  I especially loved the devotion for day 7 in which he says, “God needs you to be love where you live.  If you aren’t that love, who else will do that part of God’s project?” (page 28). 

At the heart of this message is that God is working alongside us and inviting us in to work with Him.  He has a job for each of us, big or small, that matters in His divine plan.  Our participation in this divine plan is rooted in the commandment to love God above all else and love one another as ourselves, as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 22:34-40. 

When we love, we bring Christ’s light to others.   

“God is love” (1 John 4:8). 

He is also the “light of the world” and tells us that “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). 

Jesus tells us that we are the “light of the world” too and that we must allow our light to shine before others and not let it be hidden (Matthew 5:14-16).  When we allow our lights to shine before others by loving those around us, we are bringing God’s love to them.  We are answering His call to participate in His divine plan.  We are shining God’s light into the darkness.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

So, what is darkness?  Darkness is defined as the absence of light. 

Without light or without ever knowing what light is, how can we ever know that we are in darkness?  Likewise, without God or ever knowing God, how can we ever truly know love, since God is love?

I believe we are especially called to love those around us who are in darkness, whether they are depressed, in sin, being hateful or unkind, self-absorbed or any of the other hundreds of ways we may find ourselves away from the light, that is Christ. 

These are the ones who truly need our love. 

This is the darkness where we need to bring our lights. 

It is easy to love those who are loveable and, of course, we are called to love them too.  But, think about the times you have felt the most un-loveable or depressed.  How much has the love and kindness received during those dark times meant to you?  Did you see Christ present in those moments?

I think back to the times that I have felt the most un-loveable, whether I was depressed, not making the best decisions, just being grumpy, or whatever… 

It is the unconditional love that I have received from friends and family during those times that I have been most undeserving of that love that have meant the most to me and helped me out of whatever darkness I was in. 

It may have been a kind word, a gesture, letting me know they were there for me or just accepting me in all my mess.  There are those in my life who know the worst about me and still love me in spite of it. 

This is what brings light to my darkness. 

We are all called to be this light for one another.  For everyone.  Not just those we find loveable. 

Sometimes, it may be as simple as not reacting when someone cuts you off on the freeway. 

Or being kind to the grocery cashier who is taking her time while you may be in a hurry and having a bad day.

It may be forgiving someone who has hurt you.

It may be loving and accepting someone who is immersed in sin.

It may be speaking kindly to someone who is being hateful.

It may be backing down in a heated discussion and turning to kindness and common ground.

And the list goes on and on…

When we are lights to others who are in darkness, this can have a tremendous ripple effect, like when a pebble is thrown into a lake.  One small gesture of kindness can travel a very long way.

I admit, there are many times I have failed at bringing my light where God was calling me, either because I wasn’t listening, or I just wasn’t in the right mood at the time.  As an introvert and someone who is usually deep in thought, it is sometimes difficult for me to be aware of those in need around me.  It is something I know that I need to be more intentional about.

The beautiful thing about love is that we all have an infinite amount to give.  Even when we may find ourselves in darkness, and inevitably we all will at some point, we can still love.  The more we love, the more that light grows within us.  

God still calls us to be the light to others even when we are not being the best version of ourselves.

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, “if not me, then who?”

I am so grateful for those who are lights in my darkness, especially when I am being the most un-loveable version of myself. 

After all, we are never un-lovable to God.  He loves us unconditionally, even in all our mess.  As we are told in Romans 8:38-39, there is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from the love of Christ.