One Light

This morning as I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I found this image and text. For me, it is a clear prompting or answer as I struggle with what is going on in the world. Let me explain...

As I tried to get to sleep last night, as I tossed about wrestling with the images of the war in Gaza and what we, in the Western world, in the comfort of safety and warm beds, can do about it, I felt hopeless, overwhelmed, and inadequate. What can I do about this situation? How do I bring change? 

In meditation this morning, I remembered a dear friend of mine, Suzanne, who passed away a number of years ago before she turned 50. Suzanne was a colleague and friend but most of all, she was a light to so many. As a French teacher, she touched the lives of so many students with her genuine caring and her smile for each student. As a mom, she embraced her family and her community in love, service, and positivity. As a woman of prayer, she shared that faith openly with others. She did not have big credentials or a list of accomplishments. But in celebration of her life, the church was bursting with family, friends, and community that came to celebrate who she was and how she touched the lives of so many.

For me, this was a turning point in my thinking. Rather than thinking "Who am I in this world?", I started thinking "Who do I want to be for others?" What legacy do I want to leave? Suzanne's life helped me to see the power of One. She helped me to see that one person can make a huge difference.

Christ, the one life and light that came to bring hope to the world, clearly shows us the power of one in the world. We, in our humanity and fragile faith, must cling to this belief that we can carry this Christ in us and can bring that light to others in meaningful ways. We must believe in the power of one as we pray, march, post, shout in solidarity with those who are suffering in our world.

And so today, I turn my focus outward. What small difference can I make in the lives of others today? How can I bring light to the world around me? How can I bring the peace and healing for the world that I pray for? Because I truly believe that one light, one presence can make a difference.