LifeDate Winter 2024 – Life Shines in Darkness
by Michelle Bauman, Director of Y4Life
May you, by the grace of God, continue to bask in His light.
Yesterday, I met a man who lives in darkness but loves the light. We met on the second legs of our respective flights: his flight from Ireland to Indianapolis and mine from San Juan. The truth is, we never should have connected. I was scheduled to fly through Tampa, not New York; he was scheduled for a connection four hours earlier but missed it by minutes.
Yet, we found ourselves awkwardly sitting next to each other on an airplane, trying to be comfortable in a row of two seats directly behind the one-seat rows in first class. I’m sure you’ve seen the row—the one that juts out precariously into the aisle indicating not only that the first-class seats have ended but also that the seats for the poor beggars in back have begun. I was the one jutting, which meant I was the most awkward.
He kindly offered me use of the seat pocket in front of him—a place to store my water bottle and purse—since I had no seat in front of me. And that kindness created the foundation for a conversation that would last more than two and a half hours.
He was born in Germany. Yet, after living in various countries for work, he now lived in Ireland. And since I have visited both his hometown in Germany and his new city of residence in Ireland in my many travels, we had lots to talk about: how beautiful the greens of Ireland are and how much it rains; the quaintness of the classic German homes in Oberursel, and the tearing down of the Berlin wall.
As it turns out, we had much in common. Both of us love local farmer’s markets. Both of us love to travel. And both of us love long summer days and soaking up late evening sunsets. We both love the light.
Yet, despite our commonalities, it soon became apparent that our lives were separated by chasms that seemed insurmountable. Chasms ultimately caused by Christ.
We weren’t far into our conversation when the topic of work arose, and with that, the topic of Lutheranism. Having grown up in Germany, he certainly knew who Martin Luther was, but he wasn’t sure what Lutherans believed. “What’s the difference between Lutherans and other Protestants?” he asked. “And do Lutherans agree with Calvin?” I answered his questions.
But those answers brought up more questions, questions he didn’t like the answers to. Questions about creation and evolution. “So, I suppose you don’t believe in evolution then?” Questions about the nature and gender of God. “Why does God have to be male?” Questions about the veracity of God’s Word. “How can you believe a bunch of words written by old men??!” And questions about my view as a woman. “How can you be part of a religion that belittles women and children?”
Each time I gave an answer. And each time, he would become frustrated with my answer. Despite the obvious pricks to his conscience, he consistently responded with a hardened heart: “I don’t believe it. That’s good for you, but it isn’t true for me.”
My new acquaintance admitted he had left the church long ago. He confessed a belief in no deity, nor did he believe in life after death. He and his husband held no allegiance to others; he never had a desire for children. He believed in science and fairness and self-fulfillment.
And my heart ached for him.
Without even knowing it, he was facing multiple life issues, including the greatest life issue of all—he was living life in darkness absent from the Son. And it was clear he intended to remain that way.
As we neared Indianapolis, we both marveled at the beauty of the city from above. Its lights, seen from afar, formed a giant beacon in the darkness, a light drawing me home and drawing him to the completion of his journey, at least for now.
And it was in that complete darkness that I was reminded once again of the power of a single light. One light can guide. One light can set a path straight. One light can bring life. One light can, and has, saved all people.
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
Christ is the light that shines in the darkness. Christ is the One who brings life. And no matter how dark the sin and brokenness, Christ has overcome it.
It is easy to become discouraged in a world full of darkness. It’s tempting to believe that the message of Christ, the Gospel itself, cannot possibly stand up against attack, especially when those attacks on the light feel personal. Because they are personal. Why? Because being made one with Christ in your Baptism, you are a carrier of the light.
Despite your brokenness, you are designed to be a light in the darkness. You have the one thing needful—Christ—to share with the world. And, yes, you will be shunned, and challenged, and even attacked for it. Yet, God not only equips you to share the message of life and light with others, but He also promises to be with you:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
And He promises to strengthen you to do this work:
“[F]ear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
The man I sat next to could just as easily have been your next door neighbor, your classmate, or your co-worker. He could be the person you meet on the field, at the bus stop, or in the check-out line tomorrow. No matter who he is, he needs the light you carry. He needs Christ.
As we deboarded the plane, my seatmate reached out to shake my hand. “It was nice to meet you,” he said. I wrapped both my hands around his and looked him in the eyes, “It was nice to meet you too. God’s blessings on your work this week,” I said. He simply smiled.
I know the seed of God’s Word was sown in the time we spent together, but I have no idea if and when it will grow. Maybe, by the work of the Holy Spirit, my new friend will one day be drawn toward home, too. Maybe, he will someday bask in the light of the Son. I am certainly praying for that to be the case.
But I am also praying for you, too, brothers and sisters in Christ. May you, by the grace of God, continue to bask in His light. No matter the darkness that surrounds you, may He shine through you For Life.
YA For Life’s First Connection Event—In Puerto Rico!
On October 25-27, four members of the Y4Life and Lutherans For Life staff gathered with 21 members of Puerto Rico’s new Y4Life team and LCMS missionaries to host a YA For Life event on life issues. Guests from the community and stateside were not only invited to attend, but also to engage in four areas: service, education, worship, and celebration.
And engage they did! The group began with a tour of Old San Juan, where participants wandered through residential districts and past local shops as they headed uphill toward El Morro, one of the largest fortifications in the Caribbeans. Built in the sixteenth century, the castle was designed to protect the city from sea invaders but now serves not only as a museum but also a gathering point for learning about early Puerto Rican culture.
At the base of the castle and outside the city walls is the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Though it was established much later than the castle, this cemetery holds the remains of many prominent Puerto Ricans.
Not far from the castle, participants walked toward the infamous Casa Blanca, the home of Puerto Rico’s first governor, Juan Ponce de León. Though the home was closed, the gardens were open and filled with cool nooks and lush corners for reading, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Part of the tour included indoor attractions as well, like the Cathedral of San Juan, the second oldest church in the Americas. Participants were shown the famous Fortaleza Street (the one typically filled with rows of umbrellas) that leads to the governor’s mansion and the Capilla del Cristo—a small chapel built into the city wall where, legend has it, a man survived after falling off a cliff while horse racing.
Old San Juan was warm and welcoming, a city of color and legend, and it provided a great place to start building new friendships.
After touring, the group headed to a resort on the edge of the Puerto Rican rain forest, Centro de Retiros Paraiso en la Montaña: Cam Paraiso La Montaña, Río Grande. The center provided a beautiful backdrop for learning and friendship forming.
Not only did participants stay and eat together, but they also learned together. The event was designed around topics the Y4Life Team in Puerto Rico was interested in, topics that included abortion, marriage and family, IVF, gender roles, and how to be a Gospel-motivated voice for life. Questions were asked, brochures were taken, and many conversations were had between sessions about how to share this life-affirming message with others.
And the conference wasn’t just designed for adults! In an effort to welcome and encourage families, the Y4Life staff provided life-affirming lessons for children as well, lessons we hope to prepare for future publication!
In addition to learning, attendees engaged in service—making over 200 homeless kits to hand out around the island—and in worship. Each day began with a devotional service and ended with worship and prayer. Despite the heat and rain, the group even fit in an event around a bonfire one evening that gave opportunities for singing, fellowship, and prayer.
On Saturday evening, a portion of the group chose to head back into Old San Juan to see the city at night, tour even more sites, and grab some famous gelato. We closed the conference the next morning at a mission congregation in Bayamón where we celebrated Reformation, participated in Bible study, and shared a final meal together to celebrate life.
YA For Life in Puerto Rico will not only serve as a model for future YA For Life Connection Events, but it will also provide a foundation for building Connection Kits that Life Teams, churches, and for-life individuals will be able to use in the months and years to come. Stay tuned for more news soon!
