He himself was not the light,
but he came to testify to the light. John 1:8
Some are hungry and will not have food;
some are ill and will not get care;
some face violence and will not locate safety;
some are torn by demons and will not find release;
some have been isolated and will not regain connection;
some are refugees and will not receive welcome;
some are oppressed and will not attain justice;
and I am not the Light.
So many are victimized, terrorized, brutalized, marginalized;
overwhelmed, harassed, besieged, plagued;
so many are told, convinced, accused that something is wrong
with them
and we are not their Light.
The needs are great and unending and encompass the world;
And we are not the Light.
And John is not here but we are:
Testify!
With voice and belief, with actions and determination,
with hands and feet, with tears and embrace,
with community, with the Spirit.
We are not the Light; but we testify to the Light.
Andy Meckstroth, Moravian pastor serving Ziegels Lutheran Church
Breinigsville, Pennsylvania