Be a Light

Today, many of us are remembering the life of Dolly Parton, who died yesterday at the age of 80. Beyond the music, humor, and unmistakable personality, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of generosity. From putting books into the hands of children through her Imagination Library to supporting disaster relief, health care, and countless other causes, she used what she had been given to bring light, hope, and love into the lives of others.

Dolly once said, “I always ask God to work through me and let me be a light of some kind and help in this world.”

What a beautifully simple, and remarkably profound, prayer.

So much of last Sunday’s message - and this series as a whole - is about what anchors us and shapes the way we live. We are called to stand in truth; not simply to “know” what is true, but to allow God’s truth to become visible through our lives. And one of the clearest truths Jesus gives us is that love matters.

We may not have Dolly Parton’s platform, resources, or influence, but every one of us has opportunities to be a light. We can encourage someone who is struggling. We can give generously. We can listen without judgment. We can offer kindness when it would be easier to look away. We can use whatever gifts God has placed in our hands to make someone else’s life a little better.

Standing firm in faith does not always look dramatic. Most often it looks like choosing love again and again.

Perhaps that is one way we live in truth and righteousness: by asking God to work through us so that the grace we have received becomes grace we offer to others.

Today, let Dolly’s prayer become ours:

God, work through me. Let me be a light. Help me do some good in this world.