Shine Brighter

From time to time, I encounter people who identify as Christian, and as soon as they know what I do for a living, they will share in a conspiratorial way something like this: 

"Don't you think that the world has just gone to hell in a handbasket?  It feels like the end times. I just can't wait for Jesus to come back and take care of this sinful, old world once and for all." 

For the sake of brevity, I condensed the information those people will share into a couple of sentences, but you get the idea.  They've been taught that the world is a bad place, and full of darkness, and the best they can hope for is that at some point all of the "unrepentant sinners" will get their comeuppance.  

Honestly, I understand this. At one point in my life, I bought into that way of thinking.  But I've learned since then that system of belief isn't constructive, and not at all what Jesus intended for his followers.  

Some years ago, I read an amazing quote from author Rob Bell that has been in my thoughts lately.  

“Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.” 

There is an old adage that says, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Rob Bell’s quote is a powerful reimagining of that truth. We often find ourselves pointing fingers at the brokenness of the world—the sin, the corruption, the pain, the confusion. 

It’s easy to grow weary and cynical, to grumble about the state of things and lament the perceived decline of morals and faith in the culture we inhabit. But darkness is doing what darkness does--creating shadow, bringing fear, producing anxiety.  

The better question is: Are we doing what light is meant to do?

Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). He never called us to be the gatekeepers of who’s in or out, who’s worthy or unworthy. He called us to shine—to be a community so full of love, grace, and truth that others can’t help but be drawn toward it.

Far too often, Christians become obsessed with defining boundaries. We argue over doctrine, practice, and tradition, forgetting that the world isn’t transformed by arguments, but by love. While we debate who’s right, the world grows colder and dimmer, longing for warmth and light.

God’s creation—including the people around us—is still beautiful, still sacred, still pulsing with divine potential. When we only see the flaws, we miss the fingerprints of God in the faces of our neighbors, coworkers, and even our critics. What would it look like if, instead of lamenting the world’s darkness, we asked, “How can I shine more brightly today?”

Maybe it’s showing kindness to someone who feels invisible. Maybe it’s choosing forgiveness instead of resentment. Maybe it’s speaking up with truth and love when it would be easier to stay silent. Maybe it’s simply showing up in someone’s life with compassion and a listening ear.

Light doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to be present.

So let us be the people who light candles—who carry the light of Christ into every space we inhabit. Let’s be known not for who we exclude, but for how well we love. Because when the light shines brighter, the darkness has no choice but to recede.

Prayer: 

God of light, help us shine with Your love in a world that needs hope. Forgive us when we focus on judgment instead of grace. Teach us to see beauty where others see darkness, and to be candles that push back the night. Let our lives reflect Your light. Amen.