“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should STAY in darkness.” – Jesus in John 12:46
Everything changed with the light. It was the middle of the night, the lights were all off in the house and everyone was fast asleep. I woke up and noticed the house temperature was uncomfortable. So, I got up out of bed in an attempt to adjust the temp at the AC control panel in the living room. In the pitch black night, I attempted to first find the small flashlight I thought I had placed ‘right there’ on the nightstand. It had been moved. Where? Not sure. So I fumbled around – trying to stay quiet and not wake anyone up. Ever tried that? You too? Ouch. Just stubbed my toe on something… not sure what? But goodness, that hurt. Again, fumbling around – unable to find it. I then recalled that I thought I last saw that small flashlight on an end table in the living room. So quietly, calmly – I opened the door and began my journey out into the living room. Trying to make my way in the darkness, I… ouch. My goodness. Again? Just stepped on something else. That really hurt. So much, that I almost lost my balance. Thankfully the arm of the chair was right there where I thought it was. Yikes. Shew. Finally, I found the small little flashlight. Turned it on and wala – everything changed with the light! Everything. No more bumping into things. Nor stepping on things. My pathway was clearly visible with the light illuminating my way. It’s amazing how that small light beam changed everything.
As I share that short story, in a much more powerful and poignant way – spiritually speaking, this is exactly what Jesus can and will do for each of us IF – IF we will simply ask and allow Him to. Once we do so, He will help us successfully navigate our way through the ‘darkness’ of this world that momentarily has it’s hold on us. But you know what I have come to discover – sometimes, sadly – we prefer the darkness. Just like when someone turns on the lights after we have just sat in the darkness for a few hours watching a movie…as soon as the light turns on, we shout out ‘turn it off’ – ‘turn if off.’ As an individual once said, “We have lived in the darkness for so long that now we are afraid of the light.” Say it isn’t so friends. But Plato adds, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark: the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Truth. Powerful truth being lived out right now. But it’s into this our darkness that Jesus says this to us by name, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Boom. That’s so needed isn’t it? Oh yeah!
So, let me ask. What ‘darkness’ has us fumbling around in the black night of this world? It’s dark grip clutches us tight and just won’t let go. What? Low self worth? Pride? Worry? Anxiety? Anger? Bitterness? Hatred? Unforgiveness? Addictions? Drugs? Alcohol? Porn? Again, what darkness is holding us captive? Because this is exactly why God sent His son Jesus? To powerfully illuminate our lives and set us free. As Psalm 107:14 says, “God brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” Oh yeah! Hallelujah! That’s so needed. Correct? Oh yeah!
So friends, let’s stop fumbling around in the darkness of this world. Let’s intently search for, then hold tightly to God’s divine ‘flashlight’ – JESUS! Let’s ask and allow Him to illuminate our way and set us completely free from our life’s darkness. That’s what HE does! It’s what HE will do if we ask and allow Him to. Here’s the deal. Everything changes with God’s light – JESUS, guiding and giving light to us. Everything. Truly. Don’t STAY in your darkness any longer. Again as Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Following the Light – Jesus!
Pastor Doug Reed
See you this Sunday at 9 and 10:30 AM online or in person as we worship our God in Jesus’ name empowered by His Spirit. Join us for our current sermon series ‘Called Out of Darkness’.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8
