“What does it mean to be ‘Alight’ in a community that already feels light-polluted?”

By Sabrina Boyd

'Alight': this year's MEW theme. The topic was quite impactful for many students, staff, and families; however, some admitted that it is hard to feel 'Alight' when we live in a society with so many believers already. 

In case you missed it last week, MEW: Missions Emphasis Week was from Wednesday to Friday. Many members of the Dalat community attended the chapels and night sessions to hear guest speakers from Canada and members of Dalat's senior class share their takes on what it means to be 'Alight'. The guest speakers, including Cara, Rick, Hanna, Ana, and Sam, came from Portico Church in Mississauga, Canada. Cara spoke to the elementary school, Hanna spoke to the middle school, Sam spoke to the high school, and Rick then shared with everyone who attended the night sessions.

Uncle Keith, coordinator of the high school worship team, reports that "Hanna, one of the guest speakers, said, 'I have never seen an all-student worship team that was so good. Usually, there is always an adult. They are so good! You would be so proud,' and I am!" 

This semester, the focus was on being 'Alight' for God and what it means to be practically missional in our daily walk with the Lord. Being alight means being intentional in how we act, speak, and love those around us after being filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to reflect God's character.

A challenge, however, is being able to stand out, as Jesus describes in Matthew 5:14 ("You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden"), when we live in a community where many of us believe and trust in the Lord. 

Romeo Kontsas (12) contemplates this idea: "In our community that is filled with Christians, it is sometimes hard to be a light amidst the "light" all around us. We blend in more than we stand out because we won't get judged for our beliefs. However, when we are amid non-believers and darkness, it is easier to stand out as the light and be different, but we have to be ready for the judgement that might follow."

Kontsas' idea understandably makes it difficult to see the fruit of being 'Alight'; however, once we all move to different places of the world, it will undoubtedly become apparent just how necessary it will be for Christians to be a reflection of a Hope in the darkness.

So, I urge you to examine yourself and evaluate just how much of a light you are in your everyday life for the Lord. Have you become complacent in your faith and everyday actions just because it feels like being 'Alight' doesn't make a big enough difference? Old habits die hard, so why not continue shaping them into good, Christ-like habits that show those beyond the Dalat bubble that He is the light of the world?