Don’t let go of the ideal in light of the real. As the Apostles applied the way of Jesus to our relationships, they gave us an ideal to live into. But our real life experiences often fall short of this ideal. Rather than changing or softening the ideal, hold onto it and lean into it.

Everyone agrees the world is dark.  Is it getting darker?  Maybe.  But does it matter?  As long as any darkness still exists, we have a reason to bring the light of the world into it.

The light reveals what is true and real in us as we live with integrity and goodness. A call to discipleship.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is God speaking light into our darkness, like the dawn of a new day. After the darkest dark (crucifixion), the lightest light broke forth (resurrection), ushering in a new day and a new way to experience life. Jesus brought God’s light close for us all to see and experience.

Jesus has a will. He has an opinion and an agenda for you and for Bend and for America. But it seems it’s possible to read the words in the Bible every single day and still not have a heart to let the seed sink deep and become the flourishing WILL of God in our lives.