Light Archives - Kristin Saatzer

The Light of Life

November 19, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Gloomy clouds dawned in the morning sky yet again. The Coronavirus closures coincided with weeks of rain and gray skies that are atypical for sunny Southern California where we pay the weather tax. The dreariness outside and relentless bad news on my screen merged with underlying anxiety, depression, and the loss of my in-person community. It all felt suffocating.

From the edge of my bed, I gazed out my window and prayed. As I asked Christ to lift the dismal, heavy weight off my chest and bolster me for another long day, a stunning beam of sunlight broke through the clouds. A fitting symbol of truth I had failed to remember – Jesus is the Light of the World and the light of my life. And through this Light of Life, I’ve been charged to shine for Him individually and in community.

In that morning moment, God shone a bright dose of bravery into my gloomy soul.

I wish I could say that after that experience, all was peachy for me. It was not. Yet, a shift took place in my spirit as I focused more on Christ’s light and less on the shadows of the world. I stopped marking each day’s end with an “x” in my journal. I sought out happy, good news stories. And with great intention, I reduced my intake of news and social media and increased my intake of God’s truth. I put this verse on my phone and stuck it near my bed and computer as a reminder: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT).

My bleak state brightened as 2020 carried on and I found wisdom as I focused on the Light of the World.

Eventually, the sun came out, but the black clouds of COVID stayed, as did the relentless torrent of bad news. And I deeply missed my friends.

One of the hardest parts of the pandemic (and my current health crisis) was and still is the absence of physically attending church. There is a hole in my week where there once was corporate prayer and worship. I’ve felt the loss of comradery, hugs, and screenless faces. We were created for community, weren’t we?

However, I remind myself that behind the monitors, the church is still The Church.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill” (Matthew 5:14 NASB). You and I belong to a body of believers whom God created to shine like one luminous flame on a moonless night. A city on a hill. In these historic days, we have an opportunity to radiate as one for Jesus as never before. I find myself hope-filled and compelled by these words of Jesus to join fellow Christ-followers as we shine collectively in person and through our screens.

And today, as the calendar continues to turn and the holiday season looms, I lift my face to the Light of Life when I am frozen by the fear that uncertainty brings.

Therefore, I am determined that in my little world, I will be a light bearer for my Savior. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). The holidays may look so different than normal for so many this year (my family included) and this scripture inspires me in my mission to shine and serve. As children of the King, we can reflect His radiant love to those He puts on our path. Hurting souls in desperate need of hope in an often lonely, difficult season.

As this strange, scary, arduous, and sometimes wonderful year closes in, I reflect on my journey with Jesus, the Light of Life. The One who shines through His Church, His beloved sons and daughters. I keep on returning to His light and wonder where would I be without Him? Without His word to lead me? Without His wisdom to guide me? My heart overflows with gratitude to the One who continues to rescue me in the dark morning moments, who guides me with bright courage, and leads me to shine for Him.

PC: Bradley Dunn

Out-n-In

January 6, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 10 Comments

My oldest child arrived nine days late. Labor lasted over twenty-four hours until my doctor performed an emergency Caesarean, transporting my baby boy from my womb into my arms.

A comfortable, familiar home was this dark womb; leaving was not what baby Sammy wanted. Yet, leaving was best. My baby had to come out of the darkness. The light waiting for him was bright but wonderful to behold. God meant for Sammy to enter this light, to live in it and thrive because of it.

Remaining in places of comfortable familiarity is not always best for us. Like the womb, these can be spaces of darkness. Oftentimes, we find it easier (or safer), to stay hidden in the dark.

As we begin this shiny New Year, you may feel regret as you reflect on the year we just said good-bye to. Was it less than shiny? Do you need a bright start?

As you read these words, I challenge you to stop and pray. Are there places of darkness in your innermost parts? Places desperately needing God’s Light to penetrate?

In God’s word, Peter tells us:

^“BUT you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)

Out of Darkness

Let’s focus in on the last two points of this verse: God has called us out of darkness, and into His wonderful light.

God called us out. The darkness is not our home, even though it may feel cozy and familiar. In today’s context, I am referring to those of us who claim Jesus as Savior, yet still live in or with shadowed, covered spaces. This can include shame, addictions, depression and many others. Personal, private darkness.

From the outside looking in, others may view us as “having it all together”. We may be leaders in our church and communities. We may have beautiful homes, cute outfits and darling children. However, pain and shadow reside in our souls.

Is the Lord speaking to you today? Maybe victory seems impossible or scary?

Where to begin? Continue Reading

But My Light Has No Shine

October 7, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Not all of us can do great things.

But we can do small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa

During a trying time around nine years ago, my light lost its shine. I was in the abyss of homeschooling three wild boys and trying to keep one indescribable toddler alive (no joke). The world has yet to see another child like him.

Anyway! I knew my light was sorta shining in my home and that it would prayerfully pay dividends in the lives of my sons someday (particularly the one who would be alive to tell). Yet, I became compelled to shine that light to the “outside” world in some small way. With limited time and energy, my first priority was the fam. But in reflecting on my circumstances, I realized I had let the shine go out of my light because of self-imposed limitations and the oh so familiar companion named Discouragement.

So, what did I do with this compulsion? Did I start a street ministry feeding fifty homeless people a day? No. Did I sign a recording contract and tour the land singing for the masses? No. Did I pray that God would lead me and show me how to get my shine on? Yes.

And He did.

The Lord opened my eyes to neighbors needing a touch of encouragement via prayers, words or notes. There were families on my boys’ teams needing a listening ear. I met strangers needing a meal or a momentary friend. Such small, simple acts, laced with intentionality.

Guess what? The shine in my light returned.

It began with a prayer. It began with the baby step of sharing my heart with God; He gave me eyes to see and ears to hear. God gave me the heart to see needs in the world beyond my home and the wild ones living in it.Continue Reading

This Little Light of Mine

October 1, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

“A single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”

Ann Frank

Imagine throngs of people standing in an eerily moonless night, surrounded by every form of Evil. The sound of striking matches quickens as the smell of sulphur wafts through the air.

One by one, candles flicker as the light grows brighter and brighter. Together, the candles resemble an exquisite flame: expansive and powerful.

And Evil flees in fear.

God has much to say in His Word about His children and Light. Here is a sampling:

~Believers are Sons and Daughters of Light:

“While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he went away and hid himself from them. ~John 12:36 NET Bible

~For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ~Ephesians 5:8 New Living Translation

~You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ~ 1 Thes. 5:5 New International Version

~Disciples are Light Bearers:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Math. 5:16 New International Version

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ~Proverbs 4:18 ~King James Bible

~The Church is a Collective Light:

~14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ~Math. 5:14, 15 New American Standard Bible

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. ~Phil. 2;15 Holman Christian Standard Bible

How amazing that we, His church, are Children of the Light? We are His Light Bearers and City on a Hill. Individually and collectively as we shine for Him, Evil flees.

So shine for Him precious Light Bearer. AND may we shine together as one mighty flame on a moonless night and rejoice as Evil flees.