“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-57
We have entered the last trimester of 2020. And what a year it’s been so far!
For many, 2020 feels too fast and overwhelming—work collides with home (giving us a new meaning of homework!); sickness threatens young and old; the financial crunch stares us in the face; lawless reports fill up the news (or closer than that; they fill our streets). This year makes us cry out for grace!
In the Philippines, it comes as a relief that we have entered the “-ber” months, since we are a culture known to celebrate Christmas as early as September. Memes of the popular Christmas crooner, Jose Mari Chan, spread like wildfire, giving netizens some form of comedic relief. I cannot help but smile because aside from these “trigger-happy” songs, Christmas reminds me of light. On a deeper level, I am reminded of Jesus as the Light of the world, and ourselves as bright lights to show His glory.
In truth, despite the darkness, we must remind ourselves that we are a people of victory and glory. We don’t let darkness or sickness or death have the last say on our faith. As long as Jesus, the Eternal One, and the Triumphant One, is alive, there will always be hope for us; there will always be a tomorrow.
Because of this hope, One Voice Magazine continues to shine its light by speaking life through the written and spoken word. We are aware that an amazing responsibility falls on our shoulders as storytellers to speak a narrative from Heaven; one where we declare that a King still sits on the throne who is mindful of everything; that He still loves people, holds the future of nations in His hands, and has the final say on matters– not death, for death has NO hold on Him. The Father wants to see His sons and daughters take their place as transformative agents in the world, being that ONE CHURCH, uttering that ONE CRY; contending as a family for their cities and nations. Yes, how creation groans for the sons of God to be revealed!
Unbelievable as it sounds, the LORD trusts us to share His message of the Kingdom to a generation jaded by righteousness and holiness. Trust therefore becomes a dual sword; just as God trusts us with an assignment to share Him with the world, we ourselves know that for us to do our part, we must trust in Him so completely. We must trust His heart. Trust that He is good. Trust that He will be with us through thick and thin. Trust that He knows what He is doing. Trust that despite what news reports may say, He is still Provider, Healer, and Friend. We trust that He is faithful in who He says He is, and what He says He can do.
Because of this, One Voice Magazine will use the remaining months of the year to explore the theme of TRUST. We have lined up topics such as being entrusted with a call or assignment; trusting God when the family breaks apart; trusting God when finances are difficult; trusting God with our romance; trusting God for our healing, and so much more.
We pray that though the stories we release, both in our online magazine and radio broadcasts, you, dear readers, will strengthen your hope and trust in God; that you will also know how beautiful it is to stand together as ONE in declaring the voice of the Lord, and that you will now allow yourself to be transformed by God so that you can be bright, shining lights affecting your city, nation, and continent.
You and I were meant to shine and glorify our Father in Heaven. We can take to heart these words of Jesus in the Bible, embracing them now as we engage with worldwide darkness—
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16
Let us be like brilliant stars, trusting God as He holds the whole world in His hands. He trusts us to affect this same world with Him!
One with you in this journey of life,
Janina Marie Rivera
Janina Marie Rivera is the author of the book, A Night Bird Sings of Blindness and Fear and has co-authored the devotional, Dawns, published by OMF Literature. She is a contributing poet in the books Joyful Light and Whitmanthology: on Loss and Grief by Various Authors. She is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine.
