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by Precarious Yates
Jesus said that we should let our light shine before others so that they can see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). We shine our light brightest through our relationships with others. How? Jesus gave the roadmap at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
We can be a light for those who are in the darkness of grief. Those who grieve who do not have the the presence of God to help them navigate through the grief plumb depths of great darkness. Before I started to walk with the Lord, my experiences with grief were more like deep caves than like any tunnel. I saw no light at the end. Jesus said, in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” At times, in the midst of deep grief, I wondered how comfort was even possible.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul says:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).
Once we have walked with the Lord through that valley, once we have praised Him in the place of our own suffering, and have known the fellowship of suffering (see Phil. 3:10), we can comfort others who are mourning. Our sorrows and sufferings are not pointless events. They hurt, yes. Did God intend for those things to happen? No, but he can work all things together for good:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
And this good is the Kingdom of Heaven coming, the presence of the Holy Spirit comforting those who mourn through the fellowship of those who love God and have already mourned.
There is so much grief all around us right now. It doesn’t seem to be letting up. According to Jesus, this doesn’t have to be a roadmap to darkness. Blessed are those who mourn, for they SHALL be comforted. Let us walk out that comfort. Let’s walk together with the Light of the World and shine bright the Kingdom of God that is within us (see Luke 17:21).
May God bless you!
Precarious Yates
About the Author:
Precarious Yates has lived in 8 different states of the Union and 3 different countries, but currently lives in Texas with her husband, her daughter and their big dogs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys music, teaching, playing on jungle gyms, praying and reading. She holds a Masters in the art of making tea and coffee and a PhD in Slinky® disentangling.
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