Thursday, October 21

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
—Romans 12: 2

In his first inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln referred to “the better angels of our nature.” Those “angels” are the divine piece within each of us—the goodness inside us that connects directly to God. Although not always apparent, each and every one of us has this divine spark. And we are called by God to move toward it, toward the light.

Admittedly there is darkness in each of us as well. And that is the conflict, the battle that is a big part of the story of our lives. There is this same clash of light and darkness, the potential for good or evil, in society. In the 1960s our country went through the spasms and transformation that come with the social revolution we experienced.

During that time, the light of idealism and love and the goal of peace and equality for all people were accompanied by the darkness of anarchy and violence. Many people were stirred by “the better angels of their nature” to move toward the light. Their efforts made a difference, and we emerged from that time of chaos in a better place.

Just as we move through the days and nights of our life, we are constantly shifting our allegiances between darkness and light. God rides by our side and roots for us to head to the light. He is always ready to help us towards it. God is light, God is goodness, God is love. And He is there for us, rousing the “better angels of our nature.”

O Lord, move us and shape us as children of your light. Amen.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.