Those that know me personally, know I’m a huge John Mayer fan. So far, I’ve seen him in concert seven times. I say so far, because as long as John Mayer tours, I’ll be seeing him in concert. I love all of his songs, but “Gravity” off of his 2006 album Continuum has always been a top contender. However, after my dad passed, it hit a bit differently.

John starts the song by stating, “Gravity is working against me. And gravity wants to bring me down.” But it’s the end of the song that always gets me. It’s always been my favorite part.

“Gravity has taken better men than me
Now how can that be?
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Come on keep me where the light is
Come on keep me where, keep me where the light is.”

It’s this almost pleading of his, after being in the dark, to just be kept in the light that I relate to. Maybe many of you in this current darkness can too.

I think we can all agree there’s been plenty of darkness to go around in 2020. Plenty of hurt, sadness, suffering, isolation, and definitely not enough light. And while we can relate to John, pleading to be kept in the light isn’t going to work. We have to be the light, because according to God, we are the light.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul writes, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The world right now, needs the light of Christ to shine — and that’s what we’re here for! Instead of being a time of despair for Christians, this is a time of opportunity to let the love of Christ show through us and our works. Now is the time to lean into the mission of glorifying God. Now is the time to live with purpose and urgency.

May God give us the courage to stand up for righteousness instead of standing on the sidelines. May we stop deferring opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors because we think we aren’t the right person for the job. Friend, God will not call you to do something without fully equipping you first. Trust Him and be bold in faith. After all, Faith without works is dead. – James 2:17

This past weekend, my mother, husband, and myself attended a peaceful protest in our home county meant to “spread positivity, love, unity and equality… (and) encourage communication within our own community to spark real change.” It was important for me to physically show up for my brothers and sisters in Christ —not just online. So, we did. I even made signs for the three of us.

We had the occasional passerby yell something out their car window as they drove by, but most of the reaction was positive. But there was one reaction that meant a little bit more.

About an hour-and-a-half in, a work truck drove by with a black man leaning out the passenger-side window. He blew kisses to us, waved, and mouthed ‘Thank You.’ He was not from this town; he was simply on a job. A job that took him to a small town where I’m sure he didn’t expect to see that.

We shouldn’t shy away from inconvenience, discomfort, or long periods of labor. We are His possession so that we may fulfill His purposes. We — as in you and me — can be a little taste of heaven by living and loving like Jesus — one person at a time.

Let there be light, friends.