by Pastor Dan Baumgartner

Anne and I were walking through a run-down-but-being-revitalized part of the Chelsea area in New York City in October when we spotted it. It’s not unusual to see a cross on the side of a rundown church building. But there was something about this old building, and this old cross. They had both seen better days. I’m sure there were thriving times when the bricks were new and people poured in and out of the sanctuary doors. And I’m sure there was a time when the neon lights outlining the cross actually worked and drew attention to the dark letters on the white background: Jesus, the Light of the World.

Those days looked like they’d probably been a long time ago. Weather, time, evolving demographics, changing cultures and worldviews had taken their toll- yet the message was the same: Jesus, the Light of the World. The sign had spoken the same thing over that neighborhood for decades, had proclaimed it over parades, over traffic, over people being mugged, over friends walking on the sidewalk, through world wars and economic downturns. Jesus, the Light of the World. Unwavering. Steadfast.

I wonder if people will be able to say the same about you and me? Unwavering. Steadfast. Here, at the beginning of 2009, it is so easy to see the areas of darkness, so easy to allow bewilderment or finances to dim our witness to the Light of the world. I’ve said before that this is a time of great challenge, but also a time of great opportunity for Christians. Many of us have claimed Christ as the provider of security in this world and the next when it was easy to do so. It may now be harder- and at the same time, more visible to our neighbors and colleagues who are wondering about their own sources of security.

Some years from now we will look back to the years of “the recession of the 2000’s.” What will we bear witness to? What will get us through, not just surviving, but thriving and growing? Jesus, the Light of the World. It’s worth wondering how that might manifest itself in concrete fashion.

• Maybe 2009 will be the year you commit to joining a home group.
• To finding a consistent prayer partner.
• To sharing a house.
• Maybe 2009 will be remembered as the year you read through the Bible.
• Or started a new friendship.
• Or invited someone to worship.

We have a new chance to be steadfast and unwavering. We stand surrounded by dark, yet bathed in light. Jesus, the Light of the World.