Publisher's Desk

I read a story about a person who was caught in an elevator in New York City during a power failure. He just happened to have his flashlight in his pocket. There were seven people, all strangers, on the elevator and, at first, in that pitch blackness, there was momentary panic as everybody talked at the same time. When he remembered the light in his pocket and turned it on, the fear disappeared. During the 45 minutes they were stuck shoulder to shoulder in that small space, they became pretty good friends, laughing, telling jokes, and even singing. It actually sounded more like fun than being fearful.

Ephesians 5:8 says you are the light of the world. It doesn’t say “You are like light,” but that we are light. Like the tiny flashlight, we don’t have to be big to be effective. We just have to be “on.”

When we are in darkness, what do we want most? We want direction and illumination. Darkness is oppressive and burdensome. It “feels” heavy, even though we can’t touch it.

Only light, which we also can’t touch, brings relief.

To the Class of 2009, we say, “Go after what is good, right and truthful, while shining through the darkened situation. Don’t keep the switch off or hold back as though your batteries have run down. Being switched on pleases the Lord. Stay on. Stay bright.

You can bring direction and illumination to our world. God bless you all in your new adult life!