Unshakeable Light! Standing on God’s Provision, Peace and Promises
California is known for earthquakes, and I have experienced some big ones over the years of living in Hollywood. Working in the media and entertainment industries, I have also experienced lots of earth-shattering moments, both good and bad, having worked in an ever-unstable industry. Strikes, AI, finance issues, and the many moral and cultural challenges of working in the industry as a Christian are prominent issues taking a toll on artists and creatives today. And it’s not only in Hollywood. Other media and entertainment hubs like Atlanta and NYC are also feeling the strain. Artists and creators are standing on shaky ground on multiple levels and just trying to keep their balance as the industry continues to make seismic changes.
At a recent Influence Women Hollywood Professional gathering, I spoke on why community and standing on the Word of God has never been more critical today.
John, a disciple of Christ and personal witness to His teaching and miracles, encouraged the first-century Church as they felt challenged with the issues of living out their faith in a hedonistic Roman culture. He writes in John 1:5-6, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”
The word “message” in Greek also means “promise” and is only used two times in the New Testament. It is also related to the word “preach.” John reminds listeners that we are called to preach the promise or evangelize the “good news” and not let our challenges consume us. We are to conduits of His “Light” and bring the “Light” of who Jesus is to others. With our eyes and ears mesmerized by our screens today, we are often influenced by the dark side of life. Wars, famine, shutdowns, climatic and devastating events full of death and destruction weigh on our lives.
John reminds us to walk in the Light of God.
Darkness today impacts our personal lives, too. Disruptions and uncertainties in our daily lives and careers lives toss us around with constant seismic shocks. Yet, in God, there is no darkness—no uncertainties or disruptions—only Light, hope and God’s promise to be there with us. And it can be an opportunity to share the “Light” of God to others. If we’re engaged fully in Him, it means choosing to live an active and vibrant relationship through the turmoil, walking with confident boldness moment by moment. In Him, there is no fear and “no darkness at all.” God will direct our “coming and goings” (Psalm 121:8). (more…)