July 2nd to 6th

North and Normandy

The triumph of The light

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

I really love this vision of light triumphing over darkness, don’t you?

When I think of the Olympic flame and the athletes passing it from hand to hand, I think of hope. The hope of the nations of a light that enlightens them and chases away their darkness: suffering, injustice, betrayal, war, loneliness, misery…

But you and I both know that this light will never have the power to do so. Like  a  prisoner,  our  humanity  yearns  for  a  release  from  its  darkness, but no flame on this earth will ever have the power to do so.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has  sent  me  to  proclaim  freedom  for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

But  more  than  2,000  years ago our history has been changed: the light of Christ came into our darkness!

This light, which no human hand has kindled, has suddenly filled our darkness, and as John proclaims,  and  so  can  we:  the  light  has  come  into  the  darkness,  and  the  darkness has not overcome it, nor can it ever overcome it!

Like the Olympic torch relay, God invites us to take our place together in the race, following in the  footsteps  of  all  those witnesses who have run before us, so that the world may know this good news!

“… in this society, in which you shine as lights in the world !” (Philippians 2:15)

Specific prayer: An awakening of hearts : “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on  those  living  in  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death  a  light  has  dawned.”  (Matthew 4:16)

Transformed lives : “And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance  of  his  holy  people  in  the  kingdom  of  light.  For  he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Collosians 1:12-14)

A proof of the love and unity of the body of Christ : “I in them and you in me—so that they may  be brought  to  complete  unity.  Then  the  world  will  know  that  you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

Personal  profile: Hans Meyer is born  in  Normandy  in  the  Rouen  region,  he  and  his family  (married,  one  child)  have  had  the  privilege  of sharing Christ’s love and message for over 10 years with people living in Seine Saint Denis (93). He is a PE teacher in a secondary school in the Rouen area. God has called him, along with other ambassadors of his kingdom, to serve  him  in  the  world  of  sport  through  various  Christian  missions  (Christians  surfers, Sport et Foi, Holistic sport, etc.). His desire is to see those who love sport love God.