Light.

Light and darkness are about as extreme opposites as you can get.  I can remember taking a guided tour of an underground cave in Arizona.  As we were walking down the path the guide told us all to stop and get a tight grip on the handrail.  He said he was going to turn off the lights and we were going to experience total darkness. When the lights went off you could not see your hand in front of your face. It was actually a little unnerving being in total darkness.

          On the first day of creation God spoke light into the world and time began. Light and darkness were separated and that was the first day. Jesus made the statement in John 8:12 “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Before we had surrendered to Jesus, we used to walk around in darkness doing what others in darkness were doing. But it was actually much worse than that; not only did we walk in darkness, but in Ephesians it tells us that we were darkness. But worse than that is without Christ as your Savior you will be in outer darkness for all eternity. God in His grace has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Ephesians 5:8 declares, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Notice we are light in the Lord not light in ourselves. We don’t manufacture our own light but we reflect the light of Jesus that is in us. Jesus is the light of the world, so we are to be a light in this world as well.

         These are very dark times that we are living in and there is so much uncertainty about how everything will work out. There are many injustices done and things almost seem darker than they were the week before. We have the gift of grace to be dispensers of His light.

So what does walking as children of light look like? Very plain and simple, love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive others and never hold a grudge. Help wherever you can when you have the ability to do so. Don’t judge others and esteem yourself so much better than you actually are. Extend mercy on those who are hurting. Matt 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” So, this week let your little light shine and it will dispel the darkness around you.

~ Pastor Marty ~