On a cold Friday morning, I opened my Bible, sitting cross-legged on my bedroom carpet. As I prayed, I felt a sudden urge to pray for airlines and their pilots, asking God to bless and protect them. Why did I do this? Despite my new found love of flying, I truly believe that the Holy Spirit led me to pray.

Later that afternoon when I checked the news, I saw the terrifying report of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting.  My heart broke. So many lives were lost, hurt, and traumatized. I felt chills run down my spine as I realized why God had led me to pray.

When I looked back at my Bible reading for that day, my jaw dropped as I realized what God was telling me.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived (Exodus 10:21-23 NIV). 

This world is no stranger to darkness. Like Egypt during the Old Testament, our world is stained with sin and disobedience. A lot of times the hatred, violence, and evil in this world can overwhelm us. But before you get too depressed, please know that there is hope!

If we keep reading in verse 23, we can see how God’s people were a source of light in such oppressive darkness. Do you want to be a light in this fallen world? Do you want to radiate peace, love, and hope in times of hatred and contention?

These 3 steps will help you change the world for God’s glory.

Realize Your Identity

You can’t be a light for God if you don’t even know what you’re worth in His eyes.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

This might be one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Trust me, knowing your identity in Christ is essential for living a transformed and influential life. Knowing your worth changes everything.

So who are you?

When you choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are chosen, royal, holy, God’s, and called.

What are you called to do? To bring light into this dark world. This all starts by realizing that Jesus has brought you out from darkness and bondage into new life.

For more on identity, check out this post here.

Share Your Story

Now that you’ve come back from the breathtaking revelation of who you are as a child of God, it’s time for you to share your story.

You’ve probably heard other Christians talk about how important it is to share your testimony. All that really means is to share what God has done for you. It’s your spiritual before and after.

If you’re like me, the idea of sharing your story can be nerve-racking. Who would even want to listen? If you want people to truly listen to you and be affected by your testimony, you need to build relationships with them.

Do what Jesus did–eat a meal together or meet for coffee. Hang out together and share life. Once people get to know you authentically, your testimony will begin to flow naturally.

Walk in Love

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. —Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew exactly what it meant to be a light for God. He chose to walk in peace in a land full of violence. He chose to love in a world full of hate.

What will we choose? Will we choose to love our neighbors, even when we disagree with them? Will we choose to forgive our enemies, even when it hurts? Will we choose to do the right thing, even when it’s inconvenient?

I’m not perfect. I mess up in this walk of love more times than I care to admit. But life is a journey that God takes His children on to watch them grow.

Jesus’ commandments were simple, yet so profound: love God and love people–including ourselves. Love has been washed down in our culture by the media and consumer driven markets. Do we even know what it means to truly walk in love?

Jesus is love (1 John 4:8), and He died willingly for us even when we were at our lowest. Are we willing to lay down our pride, our hurts, and our wants for others in this dark age? Are we willing to love the broken who are crying out for hope and healing?

If your answer is yes, then you are ready to shine a light for God. You are ready to change the world, one life at a time.

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). 

Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Find me on Instagram @fearfullywonderfullyme

Don’t forget to subscribe by email so you never miss a post!