Counting the Days: December 22, 2025

Carry Your Lantern

Tynayko (Tye) Melendez
Marketing Manager, Sodexo Group
Methodist University Dining Services

Read: Romans 12:12 and John 1:5

“Hope is seeing light despite all the darkness.”
– Desmond Tutu (AD 1931 –  AD 2021)

Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is seeing light despite all the darkness.” College life can feel like that sometimes — late nights, tough classes, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But hope isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a spiritual anchor.

John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” That light is Christ, and it’s stronger than any anxiety, loneliness, or doubt we face. Even when everything feels heavy, His light remains steady, powerful, and undefeated.

And Romans 12:12 gives us a roadmap: “Be joyful in hope, patient in suffering, faithful in prayer.” That means choosing joy even when your GPA isn’t where you want it to be. It means trusting God when relationships are hard or when you’re homesick. And it means staying connected to Him through prayer, even when you’re exhausted or distracted.

Think of hope like a lantern. It doesn’t erase the dark, but it helps you move forward. Whether you’re walking across campus at night or navigating a tough season, that light matters. And just like a lantern needs fuel, your hope needs truth, prayer, and people who remind you of God’s promises.

So today, carry your lantern. Let Christ’s light shine through your words, your kindness, and your faith. The darkness may be real; but it will never win.

Prayer:  Dear God, help me to be joyful in hope, patient in suffering, and faithful in prayer. Let Your light guides me through every challenge I face on this campus. Amen.