Go, Tell It On the Mountain: Beacons of Light in a Dark World

“A new kingdom is coming! In fact, it’s well underway.”

I picture an old-school newsboy announcing a headline. To a bleak, black-and-white, oppressed civilization, the announcement of a new kingship brings the promise of life, light, and color.

And this imaginative picture isn’t far off from the reality we indwell:

There will come a day when the entirety of the world’s pain and suffering will be entirely swallowed up by the goodness of God.

Where his light will reach into the furthest corners of existence, and sweep away any lingering darkness.

Until then, there exist little beacons of hope—moving, and animating—in the spaces of this world that are desperate for a glimpse of God’s goodness. We, are those beacons.

Like newsboys in an alleyway, we announce the good news of the coming kingdom. And with our smiles, we offer the invitation to participate, even now.

His perfect kingdom is a promise that will be entirely fulfilled, in pristine timing.

For the Lord is not slow in keeping his promises—as some understand slowness. He’s not withholding perfection from us. In fact, God’s benevolence is the reason it hasn’t come in fullness already. For his desire is that even more people might be swept up into his perfect redemption plan for mankind. (2 Peter 3:9)

And when his kingdom does come in fullness, it will endure.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. Psalm 145:13 NIV

A new kingdom is coming! In fact, it’s well underway.

As we—God’s people—enter into each day with a prayer and a heart posture of “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done”, we are inviting the Kingship of Jesus to permeate this wretched earth we inhabit.

Like the house on the block grilling up a steak dinner, as passerbys bask in the scent, we bring the aroma of Christ’s Kingdom with us wherever we go: offering invitation to all we encounter to step off the street and imbibe—to taste and see the beauty of Jesus.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life… 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV

Whether the aroma we carry appeals to people or not, it’s there. It’s not going anywhere. It’s the triumphant aroma of victory—of death conquered and life restored.

Like a city on a hill that gleams with palpable and undeniable light, we exist as God’s children on this earth. Doing the good works of the Father—beaming with his purposes—ushering forth his kingdom as obedient agents of everlasting light.

We carry the good news of the Kingdom with us, wherever we go.

By our words and deeds, we reflect the glory of the Father—the one who gives every good thing, and is consistently filled with light, benevolence, and kindness.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

It’s by his extravagant mercy that we get to go forth into the world, carrying the authority of sons and daughters of the Most High God. The world might not recognize us as such, but that doesn’t mean we cease to exist in the reality of that to which we are called. I’ll say it again: we are children of the light. Children of the Most High God! May we live in such a way, my friends!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV

People may not recognize, appreciate, or invite the light you carry with you—but that doesn’t mean we are to stop moving forward in love, offering Christ’s mercies to those we encounter.

As we engage this winter season, and as the topic of Christ’s coming permeates the air we breathe, consider the everlasting hope held out in the gift you’ve received. The gift of your own salvation.

As believers, we have passed from death to life.

From darkness to light.

From gloom to joy.

From despair to hope.

We may walk the trenches of this world, but not without eternal victory lighting our way.

This is the Christmas story held out to every hurting heart: the true tale of a victorious, all-powerful, and merciful God who was willing to stop at nothing to make a way…

For an aching world to find healing.

For a tortured world to find deliverance.

For a chaotic world to find peace.

As this season approaches, I pray you will be able to embrace the depth of goodness being celebrated: salvation offered to every single person.

It doesn’t matter how far they’ve fallen—because redemption is offered in the name of Jesus. Restoration is possible. Forgiveness is real. Grace is abundant.

And God loves every person.

It’s a news that we, with the Spirit, are whispered daily—and it’s a news good enough to be shouted from the hilltops! (Romans 8:16)

What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Matthew 10:27 NLT

God’s salvation isn’t hiding from anyone. All the more, he put on flesh and blood and walked the earth—came down to our level in the most extravagant act of humility that ever existed—so that any person who calls on the name of the Lord might be saved. (Romans 10:13)

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 NIV

Shout it from the rooftops. Tell it on the mountain.

Salvation by faith is the greatest of gifts.

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish!… Ephesians 2:7-10 MSG

If you see people around you hurting, in despair, in heartache, in pain—carry your torch; shine your light.

This world is desperate for the real Jesus, for true healing. For the grace their souls were made to long for.

Don’t hold back!