shadow

darkness

Got to Have Light

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“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “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 NASB

During the summer of 2013, I had lens replacements in both eyes due to cataracts. Because I’d worn corrective lenses of some form or fashion for almost fifty years, my husband encouraged me to get the special lens that would correct both my near and far sighted vision. I must say, it’s been great not to wear glasses or contacts anymore.

However, in order to see well and be able to read, I must have light – and good, bright light at that! Dark restaurants and rooms are not my friends. It’s like having sheer curtains pulled over my eyes, making things blurry and out of focus. But that is remedied using my trusty flashlight that I carry in my purse. One click, and the LED light brings immediate clarity. You do what you must do; the tradeoff is certainly worth it to me.

Jesus Christ proclaimed Himself to be the Light of the world. He knew without His light shining, everyone would walk in darkness, unable to see clearly where they were going or what they were doing. Decision making would be obscured; the truth would be vague and unclear. Daily life would be dim and dreary.

The book of John has much to say about Jesus being the Light. In addition to our theme verse above, we discover these truths from John:

  • Christ’s life is the Light of all mankind (1:4)
  • The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness doesn’t overcome it (1:5)
  • The true Light enlightens every person (1:9)
  • The Light has come into the world (3:19)
  • Everyone who does evil hates the Light and fears being exposed (3:20)
  • Those who practice the truth come to the Light (3:21)
  • Walk while you have the Light, so darkness won’t overtake you (12:35)
  • Trust in the Light and you will become children of the Light (12:36)
  • Jesus came as the Light so that those who believe would not remain in darkness (12:46)

Just as my eyes need light to see, so my soul needs the Light of Jesus to see my way in this world. The Bible has much to say about the Light. Take time to gaze upon and comprehend the additional verses listed below. They will brighten your day for sure!

[Digging deeper – Psalm 18:28, 27:1, 43:3, 112:4, 119:105; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8-9; 1 John 1:5,7; 1 John 2:8-10; Revelation 22:5]

Longing for the Light,

Beverly <><

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of kibsri at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

Color My World

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“Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”
John 12:35-36, NIV 

Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color premiered on television in 1961. Founder and creative genius, Walt Disney opened the color broadcast each week saying, “The world we live in would look pretty dull if Mother Nature used a black and white palette and painted only in shades of gray.” Some viewers watched the show in Technicolor, but our home along with the majority of the nation continued to watch in black and white. Color was available, yet many of us remained locked in worlds of gray.

I’ve read that some blind individuals wouldn’t trade their worlds of darkness for ones of sight. One man stated, “I’ve been blind since birth, and I can honestly say that the thought of suddenly getting the vision I’ve never had would scare me to death. I don’t know if I could adjust. I’m secure in my blindness.” Another relayed, “If I could have surgery that would give me sight, I wouldn’t do it. I’m happy with me and who I am. As a blind person, I function well. I just wouldn’t want to start over.” For these individuals, their fear of change is greater than their fear of the darkness.

It’s hard for me to comprehend how people can acclimate themselves to a world of darkness, but in reality in the spiritual realm—we have. We’ve conditioned our minds, hardened our hearts, and closed our eyes to the moral decay of our society. Many people embrace a cultural relativism that denies the existence of absolute truth, and they live behind a smokescreen of tolerance and inclusion.

Two days before his death on the cross, Jesus warned of the peril that would befall those who choose to walk in darkness. Rejecting him and the truth of his Word would result in spiritual blindness and death. It was a harsh reality then and remains a harsh reality today.

However, Christ in his loving mercy followed his solemn warning with liberating words of hope. By believing in him, we can all become children of light. The Light of the World is still with us and is available for all of humanity. No one is destined to remain locked in a world of gray.

Do not allow your fear of change to become greater than your fear of darkness. Ask God to color your world with the light of Christ and experience his wonderful world of color.

Happy fall!

Starr Ayers

Inextinguishable Light

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” 

John 1: 5, NLT

Tree“I don’t know if I’m really going to like it here. “I don’t know anybody. I don’t know my way around. There’s no sun, surf, and sand, anywhere close by. And, it’s been dreary, windy, and cold for the last several days! I really miss Hawaii. It always seemed bright and shiny there!” These were some of my thoughts as I settled into fall on the East Coast after three years of basking in the sunshine of “Paradise”. I was moping for sure, and life just seemed kind of dreary to me. My hope for the new place was waning and any appreciation for where and how to fit in was too. Perhaps, I just needed a little sign. “Help me, Lord”, I managed to pray, weakly; “just give me a little light in my darkness, here, please!”

Then, one morning, as I looked out, I witnessed a beautiful autumn sight! The sun was out! And, not only was it out, it was shining on a tree in a way that made the tree look almost fluorescent! After moping through several days of darkened skies, I really appreciated the brightness! It was just the sight I needed to bring me out of my period of mini-gloom.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe the light is there on days when the sky is full of clouds, rain, and endless gray. But even on those days when the sun seems to hide so far beneath the clouds that we can’t see it directly, we know it’s still there. God is like that.

When we belong to Him, we have assurance, through faith in him and his grace that he is always with us in every aspect of our lives, even when we feel like he’s not there. I’d forgotten that God said He’d always be with me through every change, doubt, fear, and darkness. I’d forgotten that the very Light that made the world has the power to make a new life from the pieces of my darkness and fears.

The light of hope to start over in a new place, and learn to appreciate its beauty and offerings was still there. It had not been extinguished. I needed that reminder to simply believe what God said about never leaving me.

Jesus is our light in the darkness of life. He shines through our darkness more magnificently than the sun through that tree.

By grace through faith,

Rita