I’m so glad we now have Daylight Savings Time. By the way, why don’t we have it all year round? That would make sense to me. Before the time change, it was usually dark when I left my office for home. It wasn’t late, but it sure felt late. Thankfully, I was not left in the dark. Through the miracle of electricity, I could flip a switch when I got home and have light again.
Experiencing complete physical darkness is really scary. Ever toured a cave when they temporarily turned off the lights? You can’t even see your hand in front of your face. When it comes to our everyday lives, even partial darkness can contribute to a feeling of sadness. Sadness can lead to a kind of emotional darkness.
What about you right now? Are you experiencing a dark time in your life? Do you have a child who is really trying your patience? Are you struggling with your finances? Has someone broken your heart? Are you having trouble making sense out of what is happening in your life?
When we start asking “Why?” a lot, it is a sure sign that darkness is creeping up on us. Maybe you have asked questions like, “Why did my child have to die?” or “Why did my husband or wife turn away from me?” or “Why did God allow sickness to invade my home?” or “Why did God heal someone else but not heal me?” Why? Why? Why? When questions are swirling around in our heads, we need someone to turn on the light so we can escape the darkness.
Where can we find a light that will brighten our path through this difficult life?
Let me point to the One who promises to provide amazing light in our lives no matter how dark it feels. Jesus knows that we need light. That’s why He said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). In fact, Jesus made it clear that giving us light was the main reason He came into this dark world. “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). Jesus has promised to give light to those who trust and follow Him. Any time we sense a need for light, we should ask ourselves, “Am I trusting and following Christ in my life right now?” That’s important because He is the only source of true light.
Common sense tells us that anyone would want a life filled with light rather than a life filled with darkness. Strangely, though, that isn’t reality. The truth is that very few people are willing to have Christ’s light.
Why would anyone not want the light that Jesus can give? Jesus answered that puzzling question for us. He said, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20).
You see, when Jesus shines His light on us, it exposes who we really are. Nothing about us is hidden from His view. That makes most people uncomfortable, so they turn away. That’s a problem because Jesus is the only One who can provide the love and forgiveness that we desperately need.
When Christ walked this earth, He proved who He was by performing many miracles, including raising the dead, but most people still didn’t want to follow Him. Notice how the Scripture describes it, “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, ‘He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them’” (John 12:37, 39-40). When we learn about Christ’s light and then refuse it, we risk being shut off from His light forever.
Darkness is an awful thing, both in this life and the next.
I hope you won’t be one of those who turn away. Following our natural inclination to walk away from Christ’s light is dangerous. Receiving Christ’s light, on the other hand, is a glorious thing
The light that Jesus offers dispels the darkness from our lives because it assures us that a good and loving God is leading and protecting us. God’s light brings a joy that fills and transforms our lives so we want to share His light with others. That’s why I’m writing this article.
Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Nothing would bring me greater joy than to help you find THE Light.
If you have questions, use the contact information next to my picture at the top of this article to talk to me. I’d love to help you find the spiritual “light switch” for your life.
Make a book out of these articles.
Gene