On December 31st I spent some time reflecting on 2021 and praying over the year ahead. I wrote down and began to declare the phrase, “Live light, be a light” over 2022. I had begun packing and realized way less than I thought was going to actually fit in my pack. I may or may not of had a mini freak out thinking about how little clothes I would have with me for the year. The Lord comforted me with peace that this year I get to live light to be a light for Him!

I have since come to realize that living light to be a light is more than just living light materialistically. I had the opportunity to begin the year at Passion 2022. One of the speakers, Jennie Allen, spoke on confession. She began with Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Jennie stressed that before we run the race set before us, we must throw off our weight and sin. As she was speaking the phrase “Live light, be a light” came back to my mind. 

Jennie read 1 John 1:7 and 1 John 1:9 and emphasized the importance of confessing our sins so that we can walk in the light and run our race without the weight of sin holding us back. She then led us into a time of confessing our sins out loud. I have previously confessed the actions of my "big" sins. As I reflected, I began to acknowledge and confess the root of those sinful actions, which is often a desire to fit into the world and to please others. This year, I surrender my fear of man to God so I can live light to be a light for Him!

While listening to worship music recently, I heard From the Inside Out, an old song that I haven’t heard in years. As I listened to the lyrics, I was stopped in my tracks and wrote the lyrics down. 

“A thousand times I've failed, still your mercy remains

And should I stumble again, I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

You're above all else

My purpose remains

The art of losing myself

In bringing you praise

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul

I give you control

Consume me from the inside out, Lord

Let justice and praise

Become my embrace

To love you from the inside out”

God’s mercy and grace continue to meet me every day. As I step into 2022 and prepare to leave for the World Race next week, I pray that I would continue to be willing to lose myself, to confess my sins, to surrender my fear of man, and to live with few items so that I can live light to be a light for Christ! Ultimately, I pray that I would be willing to let everything around me fade away so that His light can shine!