The Light On The Hill

What is light? Can we find it? Can we be it? What’s the hill we need to climb? Can we save ourselves by climbing that hill?
 
Here are some of the words of Amanda Gorman, the young poet who read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration yesterday.
 
Opening line: When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
 
Closing Line: For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
 
Many people found her words to be beautiful and inspiring. They praised her. But are those words true? Are they hers? Does she deserve the praise? Those are all good questions to ask, right?
 
Many people recognize that Jesus proclaimed himself as the light. He said following him is the way to have the light of life (see verse below). It is also historical fact that Jesus climbed up a hill where he was subsequently crucified. Some say Jesus was THE light on the hill that he climbed for us because he knew we could never climb back to God’s side on our own.
 
That’s the choice we all face. Do we put our hope and faith in the words of fallible humans or in Jesus who claimed to be the savior of mankind? Our answer to that question reveals where we will focus our praise. God says ultimately that determines whether or not we are eternally in the light. Choose wisely.
 
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”