I don’t know about you, but when we start Daylight Savings Time, things seem a little more cheerful. I don’t like losing that hour of sleep, but I think it’s worth it to get the extra hour of daylight at the end of the every day.

There is no doubt that darkness is depressing. In fact, in 1981 the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland identified darkness as a factor that contributes to depression. They called it Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. They say it affects 11 million American adults during the winter months when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. The recommended treatment is to sit in front of a light box for two hours each day, pull back the draperies, and spend as much time as possible outside when the sun is shining.

Undoubtedly, a lot of sad gloominess is also caused by a lack of spiritual light. How SAD (pun intended!) that so many endure spiritual darkness when life and light are abundantly available. “In

[Jesus] was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness. . .” (John 1:4-5). All we have to do is trust Christ completely, and we can have His warm, reassuring light: “…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). Aren’t you glad that we don’t have to be trapped in darkness? Jesus said He came “as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness” (John 12:46).

What is really SAD is that sin makes us afraid of coming to the light. Jesus made this clear: “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).

Even Christians can suffer spiritual depression when they don’t spend enough time in God’s light. Two hours a day in the light of God’s Word would undoubtedly cure our fits of despair. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path….The unfolding of Your words gives light…” (Psalm 119:105, 130).

Jesus has told those of us who have embraced Christ’s light that we are to be“the light of the world.” That means we should let our “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).

If the human race ever needed God’s light, it is now. Sadly, we live in a very broken world, don’t we? There is oppressive darkness all around us. That is why Bethel Chapel Church is working to spread the Good News that there is refreshing light to be found in Jesus Christ.

If you are a follower of Jesus, “you have not seen Him, [yet] you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). We want you to discover that joy.

“How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance” (Psalm 89:15).