Walking in the Light
By Sherry Mohr
Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:14
We are called to “walk as children of light” in a world permeated by darkness. A prayer I give to my children involves asking our Lord to shine His light through us, so that when others look upon us, they really see Him. This is a prayer my seven year old recites when called to prayer and I wonder if he comprehends its meaning.
What does it mean to walk as children of light?
I read the Synaxarium daily to my children in attempts to provide them with various examples of Christian testimony. When I read about the life of a martyr, I edit the gory and painful parts of the martyr’s tortures. I do this for two reasons – age and comprehension levels.
However, in spite of this specific editing, I stress the pain the martyr experienced and the joy felt during these tribulations. One day after I started this daily practice, my son exclaimed that he wishes to become a martyr but he does not know how. To some, this proclamation may be confusing – does this little boy understand the weight of martyrdom? Truly he cannot know what it means to die for Christ.
As I write this, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the Blessed Feast of Nayrouz and the veneration of the Coptic martyrs during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Our ancestors endured mental and physical tortures beyond our comprehension. They were slaughtered for their steadfast love for Christ, our Savior. And yet, these witnesses knew what it meant to walk as children of light and did not falter.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Our world works endlessly to extinguish our light. It is argued that Christian values are archaic and patriarchal, claiming they support a system unfit for the evolution of society. As Christians, we are accused of being the ones walking in the darkness – a reversal of roles. This is clearly an attempt at disillusionment. The scriptures reveal that Christ is the light of the world. When we walk in the light, we walk towards Christ Himself. We walk a path on which we cannot journey in darkness – it is virtually impossible since Christ is our light.
As we see through the examples of the martyrs and saints before us, Christianity does not allow passiveness. We cannot “coast through” our lives with foot in the darkness and one in the light. We are called to testify and witness to Christ, to walk completely and entirely in His light. We called to emanate that light and shine brightly on that hill (Matthew 5:14 – 16).
When my son asked how he can become a martyr, I admit I was taken aback. It was not a question I anticipated. However, it reflected to me the importance of testifying Christ in this society, one that is worlds apart from the one of our ancestors, and yet still one that is not afraid to slaughter us for our faith and love for Christ.
Our Lord prepared us for this narrow path, for this testimony that would set us apart. He warned that we will need to endure emotional, mental, physical, and psychological torment in this world – torture that would attempt to have us question our faith, love, and hope in Christ. He prepared us and He encouraged us, for great is our reward when we suffer for our love; when we take on the cross and follow Him to Golgotha.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
This weekend, I reflected on the sermons I heard concerning Nayrouz, and I filled with determination and perseverance. My priest discussed the ways in which we can witness to Christ in this world and to whom we testify His name. For the sake of vulnerability, I will confess that I needed that sermon more than I realized in the moment.
Recently, I have encountered adversity regarding my faith – more specifically, how I have changed because of my increasing faith. While the adversity is not severe, it comes from a person I love, and it wounds deeply. His Grace Bishop Youssef of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern Diocese of the United States writes, “[t]estifying to the Lord Jesus Christ is the responsibility of every believer. We are all called to stand for our beliefs before our families (Jerusalem), friends (Judea), and to every one we come across (the ends of the earth).” He continues that we testify through our evangelism, prayer life and worship, communal life and fellowship, behavior, service, and witness through suffering. We testify by living our lives completely and wholly as Christians, serving as living icons of Christ in the world.
I can imagine how in awe and astounded the family and friends of our beloved martyrs and saints felt concerning the profession of their faith. The faith emanating God’s glory and light drawing thousands to salvation. It rejuvenates me and makes me joyful for my small and tender wounds. Wounds that I pray will continue to humble me and draw me ever so close to my Beloved. Christ does not leave us in our affliction. He sends us tendrils of love, preserving us, strengthening the Holy Spirit within us, so that we can rise and continue our pursuit toward Him.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1 Peter 3:9
As we embark on this new Coptic year, let us remain steadfast in our faith, walking the path of righteousness, shining Christ’s light to all around us. Let us continue to testify to Jerusalem, Judea, and to the end of the earth. Let us remain vigilant, strengthening the Holy Spirit within us, reflecting Christ’s light with the same unabashed manner as the martyrs, drawing all to the glory of God.
Like my seven year old son, let us say without hesitation, “I wish to become a martyr for Christ.”
Glory be to God Forever.