Healing BLESS Communities预览

Day Six—Bless in Living Color

by: Tamara Ravelo

If you have lived this life for any good length, you have come to know that our journey is filled with ups and downs. At times the road is long, windy, and weighty with what seems like challenge after challenge. You wonder, “Am I making a difference at all?” “Do my efforts, prayers, and acts of service matter?” In these instances, exhaustion comes easily, tiredness appears as a traveling companion, and hope, for some, hangs in the balance. Whew. My spirit hears you, friend, and I want to encourage you with this comforting truth: The Lord is always with us. It does matter and you matter.

Acts 11:19-26 serves as a wonderful reminder of hope and encouragement. The early believers faced discrimination, intimidation, harassment, sexism, lack of belonging, and everything else you can imagine. For some, their physical life was on the line. Yet in the face of these challenges, they continued to be faithful in sharing the goodness of God by way of our resurrected Lord. What began as a small gathering of believers evolved into a thriving community, all because they chose to let their light shine even when it was tough. As they kept doing their work, many would come to know the way of Jesus. The key here is that we must not give up. As long as we have the breath of life, there is hope. God is hope, and God is with us.

Today we are still being called to the work that began with the early church: letting our light shine brightly in a challenging world. Like those early believers, we will face obstacles as we live out our witness. However, these very challenges present opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and grace. Our mission is to stand firm and share joy, compassion, and hope with those around us. By doing so, we continue a legacy of faith that is rooted in resilience and unwavering trust in God’s purpose and plan that began a long time ago. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement extends an invitation for others to experience God.

So when you feel like what you are doing doesn’t matter, remember that you are part of a larger purpose. You are planting seeds of faith and hope in others’ lives, allowing them to encounter God’s love through you. Trust that your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, are not in vain. The early believers’ steadfastness in their faith brought many to salvation and spread the message of God’s love. May we all find encouragement in knowing that the Lord walks with us each day, lighting our path and filling our hearts with faith, hope, and love. Keep shining, for the Lord is with you!

Prayer

Lord, fill us with the courage to shine your light so that others may see and know your love. Empower us to share the good news of your grace wherever we go. Amen.

Reach Your Neighbor

Let us ask ourselves, what small steps can I take today to let my light shine? How can I continue to bring joy and hope into the world even when I face challenges? Trust that God will guide you every step of the way and empower you to be a light in this ever-changing world.

Author

Tamara F. Ravelo is an ordained minister in The Evangelical Covenant Church and doctoral candidate at NAII TS, an Indigenous Learning Community, where she is exploring Indigenous healing in modern faith.