KEEPING DARKNESS AT BAY
In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, the wizard Gandalf explains why
he has selected a small hobbit like Bilbo to accompany the dwarves to fight the
enemy. He says, “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in
check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday
deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness
and love.”
That’s what Jesus teaches us as well. Warning us that we would live in
dark times, He reminded us that because of Him we are “the light of the world”
(Matt. 5:14) and that our good deeds would be the power against the darkness
for the glory of God (v.16). And Peter, writing to believers in Christ who were
facing severe persecution, told them to live so that those accusing them would
“by [their] good works which they observe, glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).
There is one force that the darkness cannot conquer—the force of loving
acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name. It is God’s people who turn the other
cheek, go the extra mile, and forgive and even love their enemies who oppose
them who have the power to turn the tide against evil. So look for the
privileged opportunity to perform acts of kindness today to bring the light of
Christ to others.
Light up your
world with an act of kindness. (RBC)
