Our Savior’s Lutheran, May 2022

We’ll leave the light on for you!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119: 105

Whenever I would come for a visit from college, my grandparents left the porch light on for me. That light on the old farmhouse let me know that they were waiting and that I was welcome. On those days when I would arrive at their home, no other light looked as good, or as warm, or as bright as that single, shining porch light. No other light had the same power to give such joy.

When my grandparents died not only did the light on their porch go out, but it seemed like every light in my life went out too. Death has a strange way of stealing away our hope, our joy, and our light. My grandparents had been a light in my life as long as I could remember, and now they weren’t there anymore. And it was dark, and I was sad. It seemed like that darkness and the sadness would last forever.

But what I found was that the faith that my grandparents so humbly lived all their life had become a light to me. It didn’t replace them, but it gave me hope to cling to when all hope seemed lost. It gave me a light to follow. Psalm 119 tells us that God’s Word is called a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Like the porch light my grandparents kept on for me…God’s Word guided me through the darkness and overwhelmed me with great joy again. For God’s Word glows with the message of a Savior. It is God’s Word that tells us that God so loved us that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish when they die but have eternal life. It is God’s Word that tells us do not fear for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name you are mine, and I am your Savior.

Jesus is the light of the world, the light that no darkness can overcome. And it is Jesus who longs to walk with us in the darkest times of our lives reminding us of God’s promise and deep love that will never let us go…to be a light when we most need it.

When my girls were younger we would leave a nightlight on in their room, and in the hall, so that they could find their way through the darkness. May God’s Word and the joy of Easter be such a light in your life…that through the darkness you may find your way to the light that guides your way and gives you peace. Christ has risen…he has risen indeed! He is the light no darkness can overcome.

God’s peace and light be with you and your family in this time of Spring and New Life now and always.

Interim Pastor Tim