We are currently in the midst of the holiday of Hanukkah, a holiday of celebrating light over darkness based on miracles that happened in the second century B.C.E. It is a holiday that reminds us of the power of God’s light and was certainly a holiday that Jesus observed, as did every Jew of his time living under Roman rule.

The word Hanukkah actually means “dedication," and it commemorates the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem as well as the dedication of the Maccabees in their war against evil. We may celebrate the holiday by lighting the Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukkiah), but there is one question that arises out of the holiday that we must all ask ourselves: What are we really dedicated to?

We say that we’re dedicated to God, our country, family, specific values, etc., but are we? For Christians, Jesus demonstrated his dedication to humanity and God through his ultimate sacrifice. The IDF is daily demonstrating its dedication to the survival of Israel. But for most of us who live in the relative comfort and cushiness of America, do our actions demonstrate the dedication we claim to have?  

For some people, the answer is a resounding “yes”!  These are the real lights of Hanukkah: the people and organizations who show us the light of dedication through their actions. Their commitments should be honored, and their dedication to making the world better needs to be emulated. So, in no particular order, here are some of the real lights of dedication in our world. Eight candles of dedication that light the way for us all: 

These are only eight examples of dedication that are changing the world for the better. And they all have in common a biblical teaching that is also worth remembering. Throughout the Bible, characters that include Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Hezekiah, and more are asked the question, ”Ayecha?”…”Where do you stand?” They each respond with one word: “Hineni!”…"I am here." 

We are all asked by God/Life/the Universe where we stand in every moment, and the people we remember as having made a difference were the ones who knew where they stood and had the courage, willingness, ability, and dedication to express it. The men, women, and organizations mentioned above and those like them.

Where do you stand? What are you dedicated to? Who are the other lights in the darkness of today’s world?

May we all have the wisdom to choose the right things to dedicate ourselves to and the courage to act on those commitments.