Be the Light in a Dark World

Have you ever been in a room with no windows and the power goes out. You can’t see anything. You panic a little and attempt to navigate your way to find a flashlight. You stumble and fall. Even though you are in a room that is very familiar to you, it is still a struggle to “find your bearings” and search for the light.

God wants us to search for Him as fervently as we search for a light in a dark room. The Bible says in 1John 1:5-7, ” This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.“

The world can be a very dark and gloomy place for some people. There are many who feel overwhelmed by loss, grief, sickness and confusion in their life’s direction. Watching the news can be depressing when you see all of the people who are experiencing such devastation. There are wars, natural disasters, crime and many other events that tear at your heartstrings to see the fear and panic on the faces of those involved. But as the Bible says we need to search for God’s light and walk in it with Him.

John 8:12 states, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life‘ ”

By definition, darkness is the absence of light. The only way to remove darkness is to bring light in. This is much the same as our lives. The only way to remove the darkness of sin in our lives is to bring Jesus into our hearts. He is the light that will wash away our sins.

Do you remember the song we all sang as children? Don’t hide your light under a bushel. This is stated in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We all need to be the light that shines in the dark world. Being a light can take many forms. Helping our elderly neighbor sweep their sidewalk, taking a meal to a widow, fixing a porch for someone who isn’t able or simply just taking the time to sit and talk with someone who is lonely are all ways that the light within us can shine. Can you think of a way in your own life to let your light shine to others? There are innumerable ways that we can help others every day. They do not have to be extravagant gestures or planned events. It can just be a smile and hello to a stranger while you hold the door for them. No matter how big or small, God calls us to have His light shine through us. As you go about your day be the light in the dark world. Be the reason that someone smiles. Be the reason that someone asks, ” How do I receive the light that you have?”. Be ready to share your love of God with others so that they can be a light as well.