COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

A Life of Light

Recently I’ve heard a lot of Christians say that this is a time of darkness. That’s true! When we see a sudden epidemic like this one, which has caused the deaths of so many people, and made others sad, hurt, or afraid, such a time truly is “a time of darkness.”

But, the Word of the Lord reminds us:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16, ESV

Scripture says we are the light of the world. Without us, this world would not have light! You’re probably thinking: how can she say this so confidently? The world has daylight, lamplight, and candlelight. That’s true – those are all lights, but they are lifeless lights. The light that is in us has life! That light is Christ! He is the light of the world! Those who follow Him must not walk in the darkness, but seek the light of life. (John 8:12) Only the light that is in us has the power to light this darkened world and illuminate people’s souls! So, we are the only light in the world!

Given our role as lights in the world, how should we give off that light? To answer this question, we need to think about the qualities of light.

1. Light is clean

This reminds us to live clean lives. If a lightbulb is dusty, its light will be weak. If our lives are polluted and have darkness in them, our light will be weak.

Recently, we have all had a lot of time alone. Confucianism has a term shendu, it means that when I am alone, I need to be cautious and alert! Indeed, when no-one is around us, it’s easy to be relaxed and let ourselves go. This can lead to our lives becoming polluted, to our living in darkness or being taken captive by sin so that we are unable to give off light.

If you want your life to give off light, then take care that your heart and your thoughts are pure. You must regularly remind yourself: even though there’s no one around me, God is always with me, and He sees everything that I do or think. Ask God to help you. He is our ever-present help, and He will help us live clean lives!

2. Light can lead

When we’re driving at night on the highway, we need the roadside lights and warning markers to help us stay on the road. As the lights of this world, the Lord has given us a mission to help those in darkness find their way and lead them into His light.

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:46, ESV

In this time, apart from spending more time by yourself, you may have more time with your friends or roommates. Such opportunities are rare indeed. May the Lord give you wisdom to know how to use your life to lead those around you to draw closer to the Light of Life!

When you go to the store to get groceries, when you go to your gate to get a delivery, you can give the workers a cup of water, some attention, or a word of blessing to warm their hearts.

You may see a short greeting as no significant thing, but it may be very significant to the person who receives it. God wants to use us to shine light into the lives of those around us so that we can lead them from the darkness of hopelessness, confusion, and fear into His Light.

3. Light scatters darkness

In the beginning, I mentioned that we are in a “time of darkness.” Indeed, it is a dark age. Even more, it is a spiritual battle! It is a war with the powers and principalities over the darkness (Ephesians 6:12). 

So, how can we be victorious?

If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause. 2 Chronicles 6: 34-5 ESV

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed to the Lord: when Israel goes out to war and prays to You, please hear them and grant them victory!

This passage of Scripture gives us the key to victory in battle: prayer!

God has given us the authority to pray, and as we lean on the Holy Spirit in prayer, we must be victorious, because our God is victorious! Maybe you feel weak, discouraged, or without the ability to pray. Ask God to give you strength! Ask Him to show you His glory! Jesus Christ has already conquered death and sin on the cross - He can save you and the people around you!

The light of God scatters the darkness. Ask God to help you to pray, to use His light to illuminate you as well as this darkened age around so that the darkness is scattered!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for saving me! Use Your light to illuminate my life! Please help me to be a light in this world, to bring light to those who sit in darkness and in death. Help me to love them in tangible ways. Please give me a heart that loves to pray, and please hear my prayers and scatter the darkness in this world. May Your glory fill the earth! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

By Mariah Liu