Be the Light: Shining Kindness in the Chaos
- meetgodattheedgeof
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Isaiah 49:6
“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Every summer in our town, we have Heritage Days Fiesta—a fun, fair-style weekend full of rides, food, games, and a whole lot of people. My kids love it, and I enjoy walking around just watching their smiling faces take it all in. But once the sun sets and the crowd thickens into the thousands, it becomes something else entirely.
People bump into you without apology. Personal space? Gone. Kids get tired and cranky. And if I’m honest, I get a little edgy too. My instincts kick in—I find myself ready for confrontation. One hand stays near my phone and wallet, and the other rests on my kids. I’m no longer thinking about smiles and fun. I’m scanning the crowd, half-expecting someone to push the wrong way or say the wrong thing.
But then I hear the gentle whisper in my spirit:“Be the light.”
It’s hard to share Jesus when your posture is ready for a fight. And yet—these are the very people we’re called to love. Not just the polite ones. Not just the easy ones. All of them.
We live in a world where kindness is rare. That means even small acts stand out. A gentle word. A patient spirit. A kind gesture. In that crowd of thousands, you have the opportunity to be the light—to reflect something uncommon. Something holy.
When people expect annoyance, offer grace.When they expect attitude, offer a smile.When they push past, don’t push back.
Start simple: make room for someone, help a struggling parent, let someone cut in line. These things may seem small, but they shine bright in a world where so many are just trying to get ahead.
That weekend, we had some extra ride tickets left over—more than we could use. Years ago, we made it a little tradition: at the end of the event, our kids each pick someone to bless with the remaining tickets.
This year, my daughter scanned the crowd and found a young girl to give her tickets to. But the girl unexpectedly wandered into the vendor section. Instead of giving up and choosing someone else, my daughter followed her patiently— waiting for the right moment. Eventually, she caught up to her and handed her the tickets: five free rides.
She came skipping back to us, her heart full of joy. She glowed.
If she felt that much joy from giving, imagine how that little girl and her family felt receiving it.
That’s what it looks like to be the light. To pursue someone with kindness. To go out of your way to give. To choose generosity when no one expects it.
2 Corinthians 4:6–7
"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need a platform. You just need to carry the light you already have into the everyday moments— especially the frustrating, messy, or crowded ones.
God has entrusted you with His light. Now go out there and shine.
Be the light—even in the chaos.
