Heralds of Light, Speed Away!

“To the millions that are lying in darkness, Heralds of light, speed away, 

to the souls that long to hear of the Savior, carry the bright gospel ray. 

Heralds of light, speed away, carry the bright gospel ray, dark the night of sin, 

let the sunlight in, Heralds of light, speed away! (Lewis Edgar Jones, 1865-1936)

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

It is quite a new feeling we have as we step into the New Year 2023. I feel like I am a whole new person! Is that true to you all? No?

 

One day, I strangely awoke with a song that I used to sing when I was in Korea some years ago. Then, for a certain reason, that song just stayed in my head all day long, “To the millions that are lying in darkness, Heralds of light, speed away, Heralds of light, speed away!” I did not know why and I did not know how it happened. And I could not get rid of it from my brain all day long. It was like what God was speaking to me on that day for this New Year reminding me “You are the herald of light, wake up!” Who am I? I am a good Methodist. “Amen!” So, I responded. However, not just me, but we are the Heralds of light, aren’t we?

 

Anyway, not long ago, someone shared a story about how she overcame the whole darkness and heaviness in her and upon her after she lost her job, a very high paying position. Then, she lost her appetite and even her motivation to do anything. So she didn’t do anything for several months just lying in her bed and watching TV all day. It was like she was in a deep dark pit. 

 

Of course, she did not like what she was doing all day long and she wanted to get out of that; however, “I could not,” she said. Then, one day, on the TV screen, there was a historic rocket launching, I mean, a space shuttle counting down. The main engines started and…  “Five, four, three, two, one and lift up.” 

 

The space shuttle left with a roaring sound from the platform to the space. So powerful! It impressed her deeply. So in a moment, she decided to count down to launch from her bed. And guess what? It worked. So she became a motivational speaker sharing how she got out of her bed of depression and despair and fear. By just counting down for five seconds! Very interesting story, isn’t it?  

 

We know how joyfully we celebrated Christmas or New Year’s Day or any special day in our life that makes us super exciting, it does not always stay long. And there is always a time of deep sorrow and depression and despair losing any appetite or motivation of our life like her. If it is our case, we need to get out of it right away because we have a place to go, don’t we?

 

Somewhat, it led me to touch the deep inside of my spiritual journey with God. I am called to live truthfully, faithful, purposefully, and fruitfully for the kingdom of God eternal as a child of God because of the image that we have in us, the image of God. Am I in deep sleep or dormant spiritually from there due the busyness of this season? I mean, physically busy but spiritually dormant. It is also possible, isn’t? Or maybe from the hardship of my life or from the fear of unknown?

 

About twenty seven hundred years ago, Israel was in deep depression, hopelessly, because they went through the dark days of the civil war between Israel and Judah, north and south, then the destruction of Israel by Assyria and more. A prophet Isaiah delivered God’s message of judgement in the near future. However, God also woke them up through him,

 

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. 

For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you” (Isiah 60:1, NLT).

 

It sounds like a spiritual countdown to launch a space shuttle to reach the space, doesn’t it?

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, where are you now as we enter into the New Year 2023? And, do you know where to go, I mean, our spiritual destination for this year? And are we awake now or still in bed spiritually? It is time to lift up! Let us countdown together with those words from Isaiah,

 

“Arise! Let your light shine for all to see!”

 

So now, I’d like to invite you to come and join us in this month of January to get out of where you are and experience the true joy of God as a church together! God will guide our ways as we arise and shine! Isn’t that exciting? So now, join us!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kyochul