Flames of Hope

READ: JOHN 8:12; EPHESIANS 2:12-13; COLOSSIANS 1:12-14 I was stuck in the darkness Didn’t know there was light Yet a flame in the darkness Was burning so bright But I was blind to the fire Couldn’t see the bright flames Till a voice from the fire Called out my name I didn’t want to believe it Or raise up false hope But the voice drew me closer And it gave me a home Now I live in the light In a bright, hopeful home I thank God for His voice And for the flames of His hope • Gracie Brooke • We were born to the darkness, born to sin and despair. But God doesn’t want us to live in the darkness without any hope. His love reaches out to us, beckons us to come and live with Him, to be enfolded in His love, light, and hope. Jesus is the Light of the world, and He faced the deep darkness of the grave so that we could have a home with Him in His kingdom of light. For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. • As we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, darkness is still prevalent. Yet we can know that we belong to Jesus, the Light. We have His constant presence with us—guiding us, protecting us, blessing us, and empowering us to shine His light as we reach out to others in His love. What kind of darkness have you experienced lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about this. You can be honest about how the darkness feels—and you can ask Him to help you see how He is bringing light, and how He might be inviting you to be part of His good work. • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 139:11-12; Matthew 4:16; John 1:1-18; 3:16-21; 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:5–2:1; Revelation 21:1-5; 23-24; 22:5. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)