Life, Light, and Hope

I recently received a very uplifting and encouraging comment from someone whom I have always considered very wise and godly. It was in response to a post I made on Facebook, which most of the time, my posts don’t get a lot of feedback. However, what really struck me about this comment was that I was encouraged to, “Keep speaking life, light, and hope!” I had NO idea that I had done that!

I go through life clueless most of the time. I may have mentioned that before. But seriously, I do! I feel so strongly about my relationship with the Lord, and what He has done for me, that I’m a lot like Peter and John; “We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20) And I mean that sincerely. I can’t help it. I have to speak about Jesus!

My words on this website are truly meant to bring life, light, and hope to those whose lives seem dark, cold, and empty. My whole purpose for this ministry, this website, is to help people find their purpose through forgiveness, grace, and hope…which ultimately boils down to life, light, and hope! There is always hope. And Jesus is Life AND Light! So in all fairness, this whole website is about HIM!

But I wanted to take it just a little further so that maybe to someone who doesn’t understand the whole life, light, and hope thing, they would gain an “Aha!” moment.

Life: Jesus came so that we may have LIFE. He came, He suffered, He died, and He rose again…all for YOU! So you can have such an abundant life. That includes here on earth, and continuing into eternity. Sounds far fetched, but it really isn’t. And Jesus is the ONLY way we are ever going to have that life.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10 (emphasis added)

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~John 14:6 (emphasis added)

Light: Jesus is the Light of the world. By making Him Lord and Savior of your life, you become light as well. Because without you telling others about Him, how else are they going to hear?

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ~Matthew 5:13-15, NKJV (emphasis added)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16, NKJV (emphasis added)

Hope: By sharing what Christ has done for you, you give someone else hope that their life isn’t useless. You may just help someone else to claim the promises of God and go on to give someone else hope!

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ~Hebrews 10:24, NLT

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ~1 Peter 3:15, NLT (emphasis added)

God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret which he has for all people. This secret is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory. ~Colossians 1:27, NCV (emphasis added)

I don’t do what I do to get praise from others. But now and again, a comment from someone I truly look up to is humbling. Yes, I’ll admit that it does make me feel good, for just a moment. Then I realize that were it not for the relationship that I have with the Lord, I wouldn’t say the things that I do! So really, the praise goes to Him! I’m merely doing what He has placed in my heart to do. Sometimes it’s here on this website. Sometimes, it gets put on Facebook. Sometimes, Twitter. And on many occasions it gets put on all three!

I don’t think you can talk about the Lord too much. But even more, I don’t think you can encourage people too much, either. So let me encourage all of you…“Keep speaking life, light, and hope!”

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.

Barbara Lynn Culler says:

October 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Very well expressed! Loved the photos and the colorful text. Praying this will touch the right persons.

Susan Craft says:

October 11, 2013 at 3:42 pm

Shelley, thank you for this post and the lovely pictures. I've found that, though we may not realize it, people are watching us and the way we behave and react to situations. I've been amazed by comments and reviews from people who appreciate that I try my best to write my novels in a way that would please Christ (letting his light shine through me).

Patty Wysong says:

October 11, 2013 at 5:03 pm

You're so right, Shelley. These truly are the Life, Light, and Hope we have.
Keep on, girl. =]

J'nell Ciesielski says:

October 11, 2013 at 5:22 pm

So encouraging. Thanks Shelley!

Joanne Sher says:

October 11, 2013 at 6:26 pm

Love this post – you've encouraged ME as well! 🙂

Shelley Wilburn says:

October 11, 2013 at 10:52 pm

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I'm just doing what the Lord tells me to do…or at least, I'm trying. ;-]

Karla Akins says:

October 13, 2013 at 12:15 am

Very well said, Shelley, as always! I love your blog.