My husband loves driving at night. I love sleeping in a car so we’re a perfect match when it comes to long distance drives. He’d rather go at night because the interstate is less crowded and I don’t care where I sleep. I can actually sleep anywhere! There always comes the need to stop for gas, the much needed restroom break or the most important coffee refreshing. At three o’clock in the morning, it’s not as simple as three in the afternoon to find a good place. Everything is dark! You can drive by some exits and not even realize that there was one. But then there’s that moment when you see a cloud of light up ahead. The road signs have the stores and stations listed. This is it! Our needs and wants will be met just up ahead!

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14-15‬ NKJV). Isn’t that what humanity is looking for? Light. People are stumbling around in the dark and those of us that know Jesus have the answer to life’s questions. Jesus is the light. He passed the torch to us and now we can shed light in darkness on His behalf. We are His representation in this world. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ NIV). This is an extremely important task. Hope for life’s toughest dilemmas can only be found in the light of Jesus. 

When you’re in a dark place, you need light. It helps you to not only physically see, but to feel comforted. Spiritually speaking, people who are in darkness don’t always realize that they are. They are terribly misguided because the only thing they have to go by is themselves and the world’s ways. They instinctively know something is “off” but they literally can’t find it in the dark. Shine some light on them! Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people (‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ NLT). Let people see the joy and inner peace that comes from having a relationship with Jesus. Hopefully they will jump in!

God’s plan all along has been for people to know He loves them – not just puts up with them because He’s God and He has to. He loves them. He desperately wants to be in relationship with every person on this earth so that they can experience the guaranteed Hope His children have. When you know Jesus is on your side, nothing can stop you. You may hit some rough patches in life but rest assured, He will get you through them. Isn’t this the good news people are looking for? The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living (‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ NLT).

Let’s be people of The Light. Let’s rally around those in darkness and help shed light on their very existence. Let’s be the inviting lit up exit ramp on a deserted highway in the middle of the night. Let’s all join together to point people to The One who can fix anything and wants to. Let’s create a city on a hill that beckons wayward travelers to a place of safety and rest.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.