Over the course of my life, I have had several medical procedures. The worst one was a few years ago for an emergency resection of my colon. I’ll spare you the gory details, but needless to say, the recovery was LOOONG and excruciating. I still have a weird, balbous and lumpy abdomen as a result.
If you’ve ever had surgery, you know the healing process can be painful, slow, and at times, discouraging. I’ve never had cancer or a tumor, but depending on the location or how much it has spread, even in a successful removal, the healing process can take months.
But a difficult recovery doesn’t mean the tumor is still there. That’s how Jesus’ Kingdom works. When he came 2000 years ago, he performed the surgery the world desperately needed — he removed the cancer of sin, death, and the enemy’s power. And just like a body slowly heals after the tumor is removed, our world is still healing as his redemption spreads.
Isaiah 60.1-3 promised Israel that when the messiah came, he would bring light to the nations — even while the earth looked like it was covered in darkness. That prophecy is being fulfilled — it was declared by Jesus, who referred to himself as the Light of the World (John 8.12); but, he then gave us the responsibility to carry out and spread that light. He told us that we are now the light (Matthew 5.14). And though the darkness still seems heavy, Isaiah said nations will stream to the light. That’s happening — Jesus’ Kingdom is spreading.
Jesus described his Kingdom like leaven that works its way through dough, like a small seed that grows into a massive tree, and like wheat overtaking weeds (Matthew 13). None of these happens overnight. But slowly, steadily, the Kingdom advances. And the Church — empowered by the Holy Spirit — is God’s chosen instrument to see that victory carried out throughout the world (Daniel 2.44-45). If the global Church is the Kingdom of Heaven, then local churches are the forward operating bases pushing against the local expressions of the gates of hell (Matthew 16.18).
So how do we keep our eyes fixed on the light rather than getting distracted by the darkness? Here are three practical steps:
Get off social media (or drastically reduce your time).
The endless scroll thrives on outrage, fear, and comparison. Paul tells us in Philippians 4.8 to set our minds on what is true, honorable, and lovely — not on clickbait.
Limit your news intake.
Whether mainstream or alternative, the 24-hour news cycle is designed to amplify fear. Try only looking at it once a week. Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6.34). Our brains weren’t designed to carry the weight of constant global crises. He knew we barely had the brain space to carry the weight of our own current day.
Get into the Scriptures and pray in the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures — whether through worship songs, audio books, or reading — help renew our minds (Romans 12.2), and the Spirit directs our prayers (Romans 8.26-27). This is how we partner with Jesus’ redemptive work and align with what he’s actually doing in the world.
The greatest faith we can demonstrate today is not pretending the darkness doesn’t exist, but trusting that Jesus is already redeeming, healing, and reclaiming the world. The light is spreading — and we get to be a part of it.
Ask the Holy Spirit this week: in what area of my life do I need to refocus my gaze from the darkness to the light? What would living in the light practically look like in this area?
God bless,
Nathan
