Navigating in the dark is scary. Darkness fills my house at night. Walking to my bedroom after dousing the light requires me to stretch out my hands and feel my way so that I don’t hit the wall. My doorway is especially tricky. I have an alcove when I enter that I must maneuver past to reach the bathroom where the light switch resides.
The same way our physical eyes need light to see, our spiritual eyes need light to save us from walking in darkness. We need the light of Jesus. John 8:12 says, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (NKJV). * Jesus lights the whole world. Those who follow Him have His light in their lives rather than darkness. What can we know about this light of Christ? Light Overcomes Darkness John 1:4-5 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” When we switch on the light of Christ into our lives, we experience abundant life on earth and into eternity. Satan works to keep us caught in a cycle of sin and shame. Jesus shines truth into our hearts so we can reroute from the way that leads to destruction. We can follow the road that leads to life, confident in the one who brightens the path. We live our lives differently when walking in the Lord’s light. Walking in the Light Leads to Fellowship with the Father God is pure and clean. First John 1:5 says, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” While our sunsets may have subtle grays that deepen as night overtakes the sky, God sees in black and white. Either we are obedient and walk with God or disobedient and lost in darkness. Maybe we don’t realize we are in the dark. God looks at our hearts and sees through the lies we tell ourselves about our actions. We may think our footsteps remain firm in the truth. Instead, sin hides inside the stories we tell ourselves. We paint our actions as noble when in reality pride drives us deeper into disobedience than we care to admit. First John 1:6 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” The way we live our daily lives will show whether we are in the light or not. The good news is that we don’t have to stay stuck in darkness. We can choose to be obedient and gain the benefits of living in Christ. First John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” The spiritual light of God can turn our black stained hearts into pure white with the scrubbing power of the perfect blood of Jesus. Even if we have sinned and walked away from God, when we confess our sins, He forgives us (1 John 1:9). Then we can return to bask in the light of His love for us, which we are then to shine on others by displaying Jesus’ love (1 John 2:9-11). Every time we smile at someone on the street, listen to a hurting friend, or give water to a thirsty person is a time we share the light of the Lord. Light Directs Our Decisions One thing we can do to walk in the light is spend time in God’s Word. When we read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture to us, He sheds light on the decisions we face. Once I was praying for direction. I had a firm job offer for a teaching position and also had applied to do event planning. I felt God nudge me to read the book of James. I wanted to focus on a few verses on wisdom, but God said to read the whole book. James only had five chapters. I had already read some verses about wisdom when I came across words that leapt off the page. James 3:1 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Even though the verse was not in context (which is how I usually read the Bible), I knew not to take the teaching job. Human logic would say to take the firm offer. Instead, I let it go and waited to hear from the event planning people. My time reading the whole book instead of a few verses gave me direction for my life. Because spiritual truths lit my way, when the event planning position was offered to me, I took it right away. I am so thankful Jesus came as the light of the world. The same way that I need to turn towards Christ to live in His love, I need to turn on a light at the other end of the house before heading off to bed. When that light shines into the darkness, the darkness disappears. The rays drown out the black and illuminate the way. May we all walk in the light of Jesus today.
*All Scriptures are in NKJV.
8 Comments
11/6/2022 08:43:51 pm
"Light overcomes darkness." We are so blessed by that truth. Darkness is all around us, seeking to put out our light, but the LIght of Jesus is unquenchable and unfailing. I'm so thankful He brought me out of darkness. Thank you for this encouraging message.
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Jacqueline L Holley
11/18/2022 05:37:19 pm
Thank you so much for this inspiration from God I needed this today for encouragement and it has helped thank You Jesus for allowing Your daughter to share her comment and for this blog as it gives us continued strength through the dark periods life sometimes bring halleiglujah to the Lamb of God !
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Jeannie Waters
11/8/2022 02:35:48 pm
Joanna, I appreciate your post which helps us think about the essential element of the light of Christ. These lines summarized important points to me: "Satan works to keep us caught in a cycle of sin and shame. Jesus shines truth into our hearts so we can reroute from the way that leads to destruction." I think an easy way to share the light of Christ is to share the difference He makes in our lives. Thank you for a thought-provoking post.
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11/8/2022 06:02:42 pm
Such inspiring thoughts about light. Jesus does show us how He is the light of the world in every aspect of our lives. His Word gives light to our minds as you reflected in your decision about the teaching position.
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Yvonne Morgan
11/9/2022 09:54:21 am
Great message Joanna. You made me think of all the times I’ve stumbled over something as I walk through the house in the dark. I pray for God’s light to shine on my path of faith so I don’t stumble with it.
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11/9/2022 11:55:47 am
I love the idea of Jesus as the Light, and God's Word lights our paths. Thanks for drawing my attention to it once again!
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11/23/2022 07:59:21 pm
You've shared many good thoughts here, Joanna! Thank you!
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AuthorJoanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over ten years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program. She is passionate about discipleship and helping people know God better. Joanna enjoys coffee, traveling, and reading, and currently lives in Florida. Categories
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