Be A Light In This Dark World - In the Morning When I Rise

Lord, how should following you affect the way I engage with culture?

You are the light of the world. Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise me. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

Matthew 5:14, 16; John 13:34-35

How can I respond when society isolates me for following you?

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that I will bless them. Never pay back evil with more evil. Never take revenge. Leave that to my righteous anger. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Romans 12:14, 17, 19-20

What can I pray as I seek to live a godly life in this culture?

I’m not asking you to take me out of the world, Lord Jesus, but to keep me safe from the evil one. Make me holy by your truth; teach me your word, which is truth.

John 17:15, 17

The life of a believer can be summed up in two commands: love God and love others. That is your call and challenge in today’s society. If you are truly following Jesus, you will at some point be misunderstood, ridiculed, shamed, and possibly even persecuted. No matter how others respond to your faith, choose to stand strong and confidently continue to love others. What can you do today to intentionally love someone around you who may not know Jesus?