Rise, Shine, Glorify God

"Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord

 has risen upon you."

(from Isaiah 60:1-6)

The darkest time of the year is upon us. 

Celebrating Epiphany, the arrival of the promised coming of a light the darkness cannot overcome, is a sign of hope.

The Magi's story (found here) is a familiar one. 

Not so familiar is the reality that The Magi were traveling in the darkness of a broken world. The brokenness of fear, oppression, poverty, and violence created by a power-threatened Herod.

Over 2000 have passed and it seems as though we are living in the darkness of a broken world. The brokenness of fear, oppression, poverty, and violence are still with us. 

It can feel as though the promised light that the darkness cannot overcome has yet to arrive.

Where are the Magi following a star and offering gifts to the Christ child? 

Where has the glory of the Lord risen upon us?

God IS redeeming this broken world.

"Raise your eyes and look about” (Is.60:4) What do you see?

I see the church arising to its mission looking out at the world to see where the hungry need to be fed, the naked clothed, and the sick healed. 

It doesn't matter how deep the darkness, or powerful the rest of the world seems, God is working work through the church. 

We can see the glory of God when the church arises to its mission of meeting needs in Jesus name.

For example, Hedding UMC in Barre, VT is remodeling its kitchen to feed more people in the community. The kitchen can also be used as a type of culinary school for high school students. The church developed a mission statement, "Feeding the hungry body and soul", which it is working to fulfill.

"Raise your eyes and look about." Where do you see the glory of God shining through the church?