• 马太福音 5:14-16

14 你们是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隐藏的。15 人点灯，不放在斗底下，而是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。16 你们的光也要这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，把荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”

• 罗马书 12:9-10

9 爱，不可虚假；恶，要厌恶；善，要亲近。 10 爱弟兄，要相亲相爱；恭敬人，要彼此推让； 11 殷勤，不可懒惰。要灵里火热；常常服侍主。

• 彼得前书 3:15

只要心里奉主基督为圣，尊他为主。有人问你们心中盼望的理由，要随时准备答覆；

• 罗马书 12:21

不要被恶所胜，反要以善胜恶。

在危急时刻，我们常发现恐慌是能传播的。但好消息是，耶稣的信息比任何我们面对的混乱更易传播。那么，我们身为教会，应当如何回应混乱呢？

我们要让光照耀，而非将其隐藏。看耶稣是怎么说的：

“你们是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”（马太福音5:14-16）

当世界变得黑暗时，我们就要让我们的光照耀。我们并不将自己隐藏起来，而是抓住每个机会用上帝的爱驱走黑暗。在紧急的情况下应当怎么做呢？

就比如帮助我们的邻居。再比如慷慨地向教会和其他组织进行捐赠，支持他们帮助灾民。还比如服侍他人，给人送饭，分享物资，诸如此类。

我们当明白：跟随耶稣不仅是每周去那么一次教会。跟随耶稣，是每天都要做一项极端的决定：舍己为神为人。

在不确定的时代，人们比任何时候都更有可能在寻求答案。人们在寻求盼望。

我们不要只在口中说爱人；让我们真正去爱他们。我们不要只做每周聚集一次的一群人，而是要让世人知道我们在供应他们的需要、传递盼望、成为黑暗中的亮光。

在危机中我们要怎么做？我们要让光照耀，而非将其隐藏。

祷告：上帝啊，你给了我那么多。帮我向我遇到的人分享你的大爱。助我超越一周一次的信仰。让我看到要如何每天都服侍你。开我的眼，让我看到有哪些机会能让你的光照耀别人。帮助我与那些正在寻找答案的人们分享你的爱和盼望。奉耶稣的名，阿们。

• Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• Romans 12:9-10

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

• 1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

• Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

During times of emergency, we often discover that panic is contagious. But the good news is that the message of Jesus is way more contagious than any chaos we face. So, how can we, as the Church, respond to chaos?

We shine the light; we do not hide it. Check out these words from Jesus:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

When the world gets dark, we shine our light. We don’t hide ourselves away. We seize any and every opportunity to light up dark places with the light of God’s love. What does that look like in emergencies?

It looks like helping our neighbors. It looks like giving generously to the church and other organizations who are making a difference in your community and helping those impacted by tragedy. It looks like serving others, taking people meals, sharing our supplies, and countless other things.

Because here’s the thing: following Jesus isn’t just something that we do once a week when we make it to church. Following Jesus is a radical, daily decision to die to ourselves and put God and others first.

In uncertain times, people are more likely than ever to search for answers. People are looking for hope.

Let’s be people who don’t just say we love others—let’s really love them. Let’s be known for more than a gathering once a week. Let’s be known for meeting needs, for dealing hope, and for shining light into darkness.

What can we do amidst a crisis? We shine the light; we do not hide it.

Pray: God, You have given me so much. Help me to share Your love with others in my path. Help me to have more than a once-a-week faith. Show me what it looks like to serve You daily. Open my eyes to opportunities to shine Your light to others. Help me share Your love and Your hope to others who are looking for answers. In Jesus’ name, amen.