Today we remember the people who have helped light our way.
If you look on most calendars, you will see that today is All Saints’ Day. It doesn’t get nearly the hype of Halloween. There are no costumes or candy involved. Many Protestants don’t think about this day as anything special. It’s often seen as a Roman Catholic holiday.
To be a saint in the Roman Catholic church, there are many hoops to jump through, one of them being death. Another one is that they had to be involved in some type of miracle. Those things are not something that most everyday Christians give much thought to.
The United Methodist Church holds a ceremony in local congregations, to celebrate All Saints’ Day, on the first Sunday in November. A candle is lit in memory of church members who have passed away the previous year.
While these are all beautiful ways to honor the faithful in our lives who have gone home to heaven, the Bible defines saints a little differently. In the New Testament, saints are never deceased. They are living people who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through Jesus.
Those who were dedicated to the teachings of Christ, are referred to as saints in, Matthew, Acts and Revelation. Paul calls people saints in six of his letters addressed to the churches he ministered to or visited.
When we think of saints in those terms, living people who are dedicated to the teachings of Christ and who dedicate themselves to worship and service to the one true God, the concept of All Saints’ Day, changes tremendously.
I can probably name five saints, right off of the top of my head, who God has blessed me with. What about you?
We have all had people who have helped us along our faith journey. Some may be parents or grandparents, or other relatives. Some may be Sunday School teachers or youth group leaders. Some may be neighbors or co-workers. God sends us people from all walks of life, in many different situations, in many different seasons, to help light our way and grow our faith.
The one thing these people all have in common, is that they shine the light of Christ so brightly that we can’t miss it. They shine it so brightly that it lights our path that has sometimes become dark. They shine it so brightly, that we are drawn to it and to Jesus, who it comes from.
I am taking today to give thanks for the many saints who have helped me along my journey, whether they are still here on earth or at home with Jesus. I’m also taking today to pray that God helps me be a saint to those He places in my life.
Perhaps you would like to join me.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂