I’m gonna let it shine

Happy Monday to our CFC Family;

Friday night, I found myself stumbling through shadows—literally. I had plans to go fishing with Bill Penner the next morning, but just as I was winding down for the night, I realized I hadn’t grabbed my fishing gear from the back shed yet. Wanting to make sure I had it ready for the morning, I stepped outside and went into the shed.

It was completely dark. I reached for the spot where I thought my tackle box was—but it wasn’t there. I fumbled around, stepping over tools and navigating through the clutter, but nothing felt familiar. Only when I flipped on the light did the space become clear. The obstacles were easy to see, and my fishing gear was right where it belonged. One small light made all the difference.

That simple moment reminded me how much our world is stumbling in the dark right now. People are living in spiritual darkness, searching for hope, truth, and peace—but often tripping over fear, sin, violence, and despair. We see it in the headlines: The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the church shooting and burning just yesterday, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine showing no end, and even in places like Nigeria—where the media has spent little time covering—the situation is dire. In the past year alone, over 7,000 Christians have been killed simply for their faith in Jesus. When it comes to the Middle East, all of us are aware of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been ongoing for decades and has deeply divided communities and nations, depending on which side of this conflict people support. Yet even now, as I write this, peace talks are happening in Washington, D.C. We pray these talks are successful, but as we are all aware, true, lasting peace will not be established until Jesus returns.

And yet despite of all that is going on around us, this is the hope we hold: the darker the darkness, the brighter the light shines. Even the faintest flicker can pierce the night. John 1:5 reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Isaiah 9:2 declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”  

And Jesus Himself promised, “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).

As believers, we are not alone in carrying this light. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us of the great army of saints that have gone on before us when he says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

These witnesses endured trials and persecution far greater than most of us here in Canada could even imagine. Some were imprisoned, tortured, or killed for their faith, yet they refused to let their light be extinguished. Their lives cheer us on even today, reminding us that perseverance in faith matters and that even the smallest act of obedience can shine brightly in a dark world.

So let us pray for the persecuted church—our brothers and sisters around the globe who continue to suffer for the name of Jesus. Let us commit ourselves to live boldly, to let our light shine for the Lord, and to be a beacon of hope to those groping in darkness right now. Every prayer, every act of kindness, every testimony of faith is a spark that pierces the night. The enemy may rage, but he cannot extinguish the light of Christ in His people.

Church, remember this: even in the darkest hour, the light shines the brightest. Let us shine faithfully, courageously, and without hesitation until the day Christ returns in glory.

Question:   How have you let your light shine in the darkness this past week?

Have a great week and we’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Dan