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b'Close your eyes, and imagine a dark night. You are standing in a field, and surrounding that field is a thick forest that stretches miles in every direction. It is long after sunset, and there are no lights from buildings to shine a way out. You can hardly see six feet in front of you, let alone see the bears, wolves, and other threats that lurk in the woods.\\nLooking at your surroundings, it\\u2019s no wonder so many people are scared of the dark. You\\u2019re vulnerable and blind to danger. You have no way of telling where you\\u2019re going and can quickly become hopelessly lost.\\nBut when you look up, it\\u2019s an entirely different story.\\nLooking up at the sky, you are suddenly aware of thousands of stars, twinkling and shimmering, while a crescent moon glows overhead. A meteor streaks across the sky, and a comet hangs in a hazy glimmer just above the horizon. Your fear is replaced with awe and wonder.\\nIt\\u2019s amazing how quickly our perspective can change depending on where we\\u2019re looking. Maybe you are in a dark place right now. It might be a struggle with illness, physical or mental, or a battle with fear or regret. Perhaps you\\u2019re fighting a recurring sin or are having trouble with family or friends. Whatever it is, look up\\u2014not just to the stars, but to the One who created the galaxies. He knows the number of stars in the sky, and He knows you by name (Psalm 147:4).\\nJesus is our light in the darkness, the light of the world. He is with you in your struggles, alongside you, and He promises to always be with you. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has overcome the darkness of the world. In His light, you can too. \\u2022 Abby Ciona\\n\\u2022 Do you enjoy looking up at the night sky? Why? \\n\\u2022 How are wonder and worship related? How does wonder affect fear?\\n\\u2022 What dark places are you facing in your life right now? What could you do (and who could you talk with) to help you turn your gaze to Jesus? \\n\\u2022 Read Matthew 5:14-16 and Philippians 2:15-16. How are we as Christians also called to be the light of the world? \\nWhen Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d John 8:12 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nActs 7:54-60; 16:20-25'