What To Do When The World Feels Too Dark | John 1

>> Well, hey, welcome back. My name's >> Well, hey, welcome back. My name's Caleb. Caleb. Caleb. >> I'm Mish. [music] >> I'm Mish. [music] >> I'm Mish. [music] >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> And this week we're talking about where >> And this week we're talking about where >> And this week we're talking about where light shows up in the scriptures. We're light shows up in the scriptures. We're light shows up in the scriptures. We're in John chapter 1. John describing Jesus in John chapter 1. John describing Jesus in John chapter 1. John describing Jesus calls him the light. And he says the calls him the light. And he says the calls him the light. And he says the light shines in the darkness and the light shines in the darkness and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. darkness does not overcome it. darkness does not overcome it. Now, I don't know the last time you Now, I don't know the last time you Now, I don't know the last time you opened your news app, opened your news app, opened your news app, >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> but the world is pretty dark. There's a >> but the world is pretty dark. There's a >> but the world is pretty dark. There's a lot of uh not so great things happening. lot of uh not so great things happening. lot of uh not so great things happening. So, my first question, we're just going So, my first question, we're just going So, my first question, we're just going to jump right in. to jump right in. to jump right in. How do you trust that what John says How do you trust that what John says How do you trust that what John says about Jesus here is true? That the light about Jesus here is true? That the light about Jesus here is true? That the light does shine in the darkness, the darkness does shine in the darkness, the darkness does shine in the darkness, the darkness will not overcome it when maybe the will not overcome it when maybe the will not overcome it when maybe the world gives us different evidence. world gives us different evidence. world gives us different evidence. May may maybe even tempts us to think May may maybe even tempts us to think May may maybe even tempts us to think the the contrary, that darkness is going the the contrary, that darkness is going the the contrary, that darkness is going to win. How do you What do you hang on to win. How do you What do you hang on to win. How do you What do you hang on to or how do you trust the scripture to to or how do you trust the scripture to to or how do you trust the scripture to be true? be true? be true? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I know for me, as you guys think >> I know for me, as you guys think >> I know for me, as you guys think for me I always think about um for me I always think about um for me I always think about um I think it's Mr. Rogers. That's where I I think it's Mr. Rogers. That's where I I think it's Mr. Rogers. That's where I heard it, right? You guys know what I'm heard it, right? You guys know what I'm heard it, right? You guys know what I'm going to say? Um he was talking he was going to say? Um he was talking he was going to say? Um he was talking he was he was explaining one time like a he was explaining one time like a he was explaining one time like a natural disaster to kids or whatever and natural disaster to kids or whatever and natural disaster to kids or whatever and they were fearful and scared. And he they were fearful and scared. And he they were fearful and scared. And he said, "When you're scared, look for the said, "When you're scared, look for the said, "When you're scared, look for the helpers." Anytime there's a natural helpers." Anytime there's a natural helpers." Anytime there's a natural disaster, disaster, disaster, the Red Cross is there. People are the Red Cross is there. People are the Red Cross is there. People are coming in with water. People are coming coming in with water. People are coming coming in with water. People are coming in to meet needs. People are coming in in to meet needs. People are coming in in to meet needs. People are coming in to care for people and give a hug and to care for people and give a hug and to care for people and give a hug and give a blanket or whatever. And I think give a blanket or whatever. And I think give a blanket or whatever. And I think about that, yes, my news app shows me about that, yes, my news app shows me about that, yes, my news app shows me that the world is very dark, but I know that the world is very dark, but I know that the world is very dark, but I know people uh in this room and outside this people uh in this room and outside this people uh in this room and outside this room that are actually like meeting real room that are actually like meeting real room that are actually like meeting real needs of real people, loving their needs of real people, loving their needs of real people, loving their neighbor, showing up for their kids, you

neighbor, showing up for their kids, you neighbor, showing up for their kids, you know, coaching softball or whatever. Uh know, coaching softball or whatever. Uh know, coaching softball or whatever. Uh that Those little pricks of light with that Those little pricks of light with that Those little pricks of light with you talked about a cave a couple days you talked about a cave a couple days you talked about a cave a couple days ago. Those little pricks of light like ago. Those little pricks of light like ago. Those little pricks of light like they pierce the darkness and that those they pierce the darkness and that those they pierce the darkness and that those are people acting like Jesus. And that are people acting like Jesus. And that are people acting like Jesus. And that helps me believe that this is still helps me believe that this is still helps me believe that this is still true. true. true. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Rogers the best. >> Mr. Rogers the best. >> Mr. Rogers the best. >> I'm going to believe that. >> I'm going to believe that. >> I'm going to believe that. >> Yeah, he's pretty good. >> Yeah, he's pretty good. >> Yeah, he's pretty good. >> My example my my my example was not >> My example my my my example was not >> My example my my my example was not going to be Mr. Rogers. [laughter] going to be Mr. Rogers. [laughter] going to be Mr. Rogers. [laughter] My my first my first thought when you My my first my first thought when you My my first my first thought when you were reading that was uh were reading that was uh were reading that was uh there's this movie out that's based on a there's this movie out that's based on a there's this movie out that's based on a book called Project Hail Mary. book called Project Hail Mary. book called Project Hail Mary. >> So good. >> So good. >> So good. >> So good. Also very good. >> So good. Also very good. >> So good. Also very good. Um and there's a scene in the movie Um and there's a scene in the movie Um and there's a scene in the movie that I don't think it's in the book. that I don't think it's in the book. that I don't think it's in the book. Yeah, it's not in the book. But Yeah, it's not in the book. But Yeah, it's not in the book. But the this woman basically says like, you the this woman basically says like, you the this woman basically says like, you know, we got we got to go space all this know, we got we got to go space all this know, we got we got to go space all this kind of stuff. And Ryan Gosling kind of stuff. And Ryan Gosling kind of stuff. And Ryan Gosling character character character Ryan Gosling's character says something Ryan Gosling's character says something Ryan Gosling's character says something along the lines of like along the lines of like along the lines of like and that will work. And she goes, "God and that will work. And she goes, "God and that will work. And she goes, "God willing." And he goes, "You believe in willing." And he goes, "You believe in willing." And he goes, "You believe in God?" And she says, "It beats the God?" And she says, "It beats the God?" And she says, "It beats the alternative."

alternative." alternative." And And And this like book and movie about like this like book and movie about like this like book and movie about like science and space and going to different science and space and going to different science and space and going to different parts of our galaxy and our universe and parts of our galaxy and our universe and parts of our galaxy and our universe and stuff like that has this like very small stuff like that has this like very small stuff like that has this like very small quote that's by no means a central part quote that's by no means a central part quote that's by no means a central part of the movie that I think to me at least of the movie that I think to me at least of the movie that I think to me at least has like has like has like yeah, because there is no other option yeah, because there is no other option yeah, because there is no other option for me. for me. for me. If God doesn't exist, then the world If God doesn't exist, then the world If God doesn't exist, then the world just really is such a hard and terrible just really is such a hard and terrible just really is such a hard and terrible place. place. place. The other one The other one The other one this is where we get to talk about this is where we get to talk about this is where we get to talk about musicals. musicals. musicals. >> Yes, [laughter] >> Yes, [laughter] >> Yes, [laughter] I've been waiting. I've been waiting. I've been waiting. >> Is there's this show called Come From >> Is there's this show called Come From >> Is there's this show called Come From Away that is incredible. Highly Away that is incredible. Highly Away that is incredible. Highly recommend anybody watch it. It's on recommend anybody watch it. It's on recommend anybody watch it. It's on Apple TV. Shout out to Apple TV. I don't Apple TV. Shout out to Apple TV. I don't Apple TV. Shout out to Apple TV. I don't know if I'm allowed to even say that. know if I'm allowed to even say that. know if I'm allowed to even say that. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> And it's the story about it's during >> And it's the story about it's during >> And it's the story about it's during 9/11 and how about all these airplanes 9/11 and how about all these airplanes 9/11 and how about all these airplanes get diverted to different parts of get diverted to different parts of get diverted to different parts of Canada. And they specifically focus on Canada. And they specifically focus on Canada. And they specifically focus on one very very very small town of Gander, one very very very small town of Gander, one very very very small town of Gander, Canada, which is like in Nova Scotia Canada, which is like in Nova Scotia Canada, which is like in Nova Scotia like in the Arctic Circle.

like in the Arctic Circle. like in the Arctic Circle. Um Um Um and it's a both a beautiful like and it's a both a beautiful like and it's a both a beautiful like representation of how humanity can come representation of how humanity can come representation of how humanity can come together and be the together and be the together and be the best when it's just like coming from best when it's just like coming from best when it's just like coming from different cultures and perspectives and different cultures and perspectives and different cultures and perspectives and just be the best together and also the just be the best together and also the just be the best together and also the exact opposite of that happening in this exact opposite of that happening in this exact opposite of that happening in this small little town. small little town. small little town. People accusing others out of fear. People accusing others out of fear. People accusing others out of fear. People People People denying others out of denying others out of denying others out of like just hatred and darkness. And it's like just hatred and darkness. And it's like just hatred and darkness. And it's just like a beautiful encapsulation that just like a beautiful encapsulation that just like a beautiful encapsulation that both exist, but ultimately this thing, both exist, but ultimately this thing, both exist, but ultimately this thing, this beautiful picture is going to this beautiful picture is going to this beautiful picture is going to overcome the other. overcome the other. overcome the other. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Yeah, that's good. >> Yeah, that's good. >> Yeah, that's good. >> one of the things I realized I I think >> one of the things I realized I I think >> one of the things I realized I I think that I I realized that I trust that I I realized that I trust that I I realized that I trust God will meet whoever has a spark of God will meet whoever has a spark of God will meet whoever has a spark of courage or courage or courage or um um um an action of faithfulness that he will an action of faithfulness that he will an action of faithfulness that he will meet them in that darkness. meet them in that darkness. meet them in that darkness. I think about um I think about um I think about um I went to an HBCU, which is essentially I went to an HBCU, which is essentially I went to an HBCU, which is essentially this product of this product of this product of social injustice, which social injustice, which social injustice, which at the time felt dark. Like there was at the time felt dark. Like there was at the time felt dark. Like there was this darkness because it was a product this darkness because it was a product this darkness because it was a product of of of the current reality, the current reality, the current reality, but there was this vision but there was this vision but there was this vision of of of um um um equality equality equality that I think was met. And because of that I think was met. And because of that I think was met. And because of that, God met them in the pursuit and in that, God met them in the pursuit and in that, God met them in the pursuit and in the work and in the the work and in the the work and in the vision that they had. So I think I have vision that they had. So I think I have vision that they had. So I think I have faith that God will meet us in the long faith that God will meet us in the long faith that God will meet us in the long game

game game if we commit. if we commit. if we commit. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I I love that example cuz it's >> Yeah, I I love that example cuz it's >> Yeah, I I love that example cuz it's it's almost what everyone who follows it's almost what everyone who follows it's almost what everyone who follows Jesus is called to do is bring heaven to Jesus is called to do is bring heaven to Jesus is called to do is bring heaven to earth, right? And like even underneath earth, right? And like even underneath earth, right? And like even underneath this system of this system of this system of injustice and of injustice and of injustice and of oppression, like that there's there's oppression, like that there's there's oppression, like that there's there's this college, right? We're going to this college, right? We're going to this college, right? We're going to educate each other, right? We're going educate each other, right? We're going educate each other, right? We're going to we're going to improve our lives even to we're going to improve our lives even to we're going to improve our lives even though other people want to stop us, though other people want to stop us, though other people want to stop us, right? Um right? Um right? Um later on in this chapter, John John later on in this chapter, John John later on in this chapter, John John talks about how Jesus is a light, but talks about how Jesus is a light, but talks about how Jesus is a light, but the light didn't just stay in heaven. the light didn't just stay in heaven. the light didn't just stay in heaven. Didn't stay away from us. Didn't stay away from us. Didn't stay away from us. Verse 14 says it came the word became Verse 14 says it came the word became Verse 14 says it came the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus the flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus the flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus the light didn't stay over there. He came to light didn't stay over there. He came to light didn't stay over there. He came to us. Right? Again, bringing some of that us. Right? Again, bringing some of that us. Right? Again, bringing some of that heaven to earth. heaven to earth. heaven to earth. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Where do you see someone doing that in >> Where do you see someone doing that in >> Where do you see someone doing that in your life? That is shining a light your life? That is shining a light your life? That is shining a light dwelling with people, right? Being dwelling with people, right? Being dwelling with people, right? Being proximate to a problem or at proximate to a problem or at proximate to a problem or at I mean, let's shout out some of the I mean, let's shout out some of the I mean, let's shout out some of the helpers, right? Where do you see people helpers, right? Where do you see people helpers, right? Where do you see people doing that?

doing that? doing that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Oh, man. >> Oh, man. >> Oh, man. I mean I mean I mean so many of the people I look up to so many of the people I look up to so many of the people I look up to um so many men I look up to are doing um so many men I look up to are doing um so many men I look up to are doing that every single day. My boss that every single day. My boss that every single day. My boss Grant does that. Grant does that. Grant does that. Um my friend Victor does that. Um my friend Victor does that. Um my friend Victor does that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Um >> Um people who are just people who are just people who are just >> they don't know these people. So, how >> they don't know these people. So, how >> they don't know these people. So, how are they doing that? are they doing that? are they doing that? >> So, let's shout out Okay. They they are >> So, let's shout out Okay. They they are >> So, let's shout out Okay. They they are proximate to people who I would say are proximate to people who I would say are proximate to people who I would say are forgotten often times. forgotten often times. forgotten often times. Um Um Um and they're willing to go into spaces and they're willing to go into spaces and they're willing to go into spaces sometimes at their own detriment and sometimes at their own detriment and sometimes at their own detriment and sometimes at the detriment of because of sometimes at the detriment of because of sometimes at the detriment of because of how other people how other people how other people receive their actions. receive their actions. receive their actions. They're willing to go into spaces to They're willing to go into spaces to They're willing to go into spaces to care for those who are forgotten or many care for those who are forgotten or many care for those who are forgotten or many times just ostracized. times just ostracized. times just ostracized. Um sometimes cuz their own actions. My Um sometimes cuz their own actions. My Um sometimes cuz their own actions. My my friend Grant has started a prison my friend Grant has started a prison my friend Grant has started a prison ministry. ministry. ministry. And these are people And these are people And these are people incarcerated people who sometimes out of incarcerated people who sometimes out of incarcerated people who sometimes out of their own actions um their own actions um their own actions um are part of a system are part of a system are part of a system that are lost and forgotten, but also that are lost and forgotten, but also that are lost and forgotten, but also people shun. And he's willing to go into people shun. And he's willing to go into people shun. And he's willing to go into the space despite what other people say the space despite what other people say the space despite what other people say about him.

about him. about him. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> To be able to >> To be able to >> To be able to >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> care for them, love for them, minister >> care for them, love for them, minister >> care for them, love for them, minister to them. to them. to them. >> Cuz those people still worth it. >> Cuz those people still worth it. >> Cuz those people still worth it. >> Yes. Exactly. Absolutely. >> Yes. Exactly. Absolutely. >> Yes. Exactly. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Yeah. Who else? >> Yeah. Yeah. Who else? >> Yeah. Yeah. Who else? >> Think about um >> Think about um >> Think about um people who are foster parents. people who are foster parents. people who are foster parents. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> My husband and I did that for a season >> My husband and I did that for a season >> My husband and I did that for a season like about a year. like about a year. like about a year. That crap was hard. That crap was hard. That crap was hard. It was so was so hard and we met the It was so was so hard and we met the It was so was so hard and we met the most incredible people who were most incredible people who were most incredible people who were relentless about bringing light to a relentless about bringing light to a relentless about bringing light to a really really really dark place and a really really really dark place and a really really really dark place and a lot of kids who were experiencing really lot of kids who were experiencing really lot of kids who were experiencing really really really dark things. really really dark things. really really dark things. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> And not even just other foster parents >> And not even just other foster parents >> And not even just other foster parents but caseworkers and people who work for but caseworkers and people who work for but caseworkers and people who work for nonprofits who would support foster nonprofits who would support foster nonprofits who would support foster parents or parents or parents or doctors or therapists or what I mean doctors or therapists or what I mean doctors or therapists or what I mean there was so many people who there was so many people who there was so many people who and it was not convenient. So it was not and it was not convenient. So it was not and it was not convenient. So it was not out of convenience or a paycheck for out of convenience or a paycheck for out of convenience or a paycheck for sure. Not that sure. Not that sure. Not that but people who would spend so much time but people who would spend so much time but people who would spend so much time and effort bringing light to that space and effort bringing light to that space and effort bringing light to that space was amazing.

was amazing. was amazing. >> Huge. >> Huge. >> Huge. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think about I think about I think about a friend of our family a friend of our family a friend of our family specifically a friend of my wife who specifically a friend of my wife who specifically a friend of my wife who is a a single woman. is a a single woman. is a a single woman. They're never [clears throat] been They're never [clears throat] been They're never [clears throat] been married. She's legally adopted nine kids married. She's legally adopted nine kids married. She's legally adopted nine kids like like like >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> by herself right? >> by herself right? >> by herself right? Raise them up. She has a very intensive Raise them up. She has a very intensive Raise them up. She has a very intensive job too that takes a lot of her time but job too that takes a lot of her time but job too that takes a lot of her time but like it's like she has drawn a line in like it's like she has drawn a line in like it's like she has drawn a line in the sand and says like if if I can help the sand and says like if if I can help the sand and says like if if I can help a kids life be better I will help a kids a kids life be better I will help a kids a kids life be better I will help a kids life be better. That's some like hero life be better. That's some like hero life be better. That's some like hero stuff right? But she's not going to be stuff right? But she's not going to be stuff right? But she's not going to be on Time magazine and not going to be on on Time magazine and not going to be on on Time magazine and not going to be on the news right? the news right? the news right? She's making a difference on the west She's making a difference on the west She's making a difference on the west side of Cincinnati. side of Cincinnati. side of Cincinnati. I think I think I think it's freaking amazing. it's freaking amazing. it's freaking amazing. >> So cool. >> So cool. >> So cool. We have We have We have a ministry a ministry a ministry led by a volunteer at Crossroads Mason. led by a volunteer at Crossroads Mason. led by a volunteer at Crossroads Mason. Her name's Tina. Shout out Tina if Her name's Tina. Shout out Tina if Her name's Tina. Shout out Tina if you're watching you're watching you're watching >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> this. >> this. >> this. Her and her husband Doug lead a ministry Her and her husband Doug lead a ministry Her and her husband Doug lead a ministry called um simple serve and she sends out called um simple serve and she sends out called um simple serve and she sends out an email once a month and she just has an email once a month and she just has an email once a month and she just has all of these connections to a bunch of all of these connections to a bunch of all of these connections to a bunch of other ministries in Cincinnati and it'll other ministries in Cincinnati and it'll other ministries in Cincinnati and it'll be things like this person needs food be things like this person needs food be things like this person needs food this month or this person needs a bed this month or this person needs a bed this month or this person needs a bed this month and there are all of these this month and there are all of these this month and there are all of these people who will just like jump in and people who will just like jump in and people who will just like jump in and help but she leads it's called simple help but she leads it's called simple help but she leads it's called simple serve like it doesn't always have to be serve like it doesn't always have to be serve like it doesn't always have to be this like major heroic thing but this like major heroic thing but this like major heroic thing but sometimes it's the simple things that sometimes it's the simple things that sometimes it's the simple things that are bringing even just the little

are bringing even just the little are bringing even just the little what feels like just a little bit of what feels like just a little bit of what feels like just a little bit of light but is every it's everything. It's light but is every it's everything. It's light but is every it's everything. It's like when someone is consumed by like when someone is consumed by like when someone is consumed by darkness that little bit of life can darkness that little bit of life can darkness that little bit of life can change light can change someone's life change light can change someone's life change light can change someone's life you know. you know. you know. Yeah shout [snorts] out to the Yeah shout [snorts] out to the Yeah shout [snorts] out to the Mckinleys. Shout out they're the best. Mckinleys. Shout out they're the best. Mckinleys. Shout out they're the best. >> Jesus the light of the world as we've >> Jesus the light of the world as we've >> Jesus the light of the world as we've said did not keep his light for himself said did not keep his light for himself said did not keep his light for himself came to earth dwelt among us changed came to earth dwelt among us changed came to earth dwelt among us changed everything. I think God is probably everything. I think God is probably everything. I think God is probably pushing on you pushing on you pushing on you >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to do something with the light that he's >> to do something with the light that he's >> to do something with the light that he's given you. Go out take a step toward it given you. Go out take a step toward it given you. Go out take a step toward it today. We'll see you next time.