As I prepare to say “goodbye,” I am deeply grateful you are nurturing a solid spiritual foundation for your life. When you personally encountered Jesus, you were wrestled from darkness and immersed into His light. The Apostle Peter says, “(He) called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Now I encourage you to radiate the light you have received into the lives of others. Here is a promise Jesus gave to a woman caught in the darkness of moral sin: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Throughout the Bible, light is a central theme and a powerful metaphor. It is always set in contrast to darkness. In fact, light extinguishes darkness. You may have noticed how a single candle illuminates everything in an otherwise dark room. Even these studies, as they go out into a dark, sin-saturated world, are a form of light challenging the darkness.

Never underestimate the ways you can bear light in your circles of influence, with family members, friends, fellow students or co-workers. And remember, it’s not your light but the light of Jesus shining through you.

I close with the charge Jesus gave His followers: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

I am thankful for you and honored the Lord has enabled us to become acquainted.

May God bless and keep you always.

John Beckett