When everything around you feels dark, remember God is the light. Do life’s problems sometimes feel insurmountable? Have you ever felt anxious as you listened to the news? At times it can seem like darkness is pushing in from all sides. During those difficult moments, pursue the light.
Drawn to the Light
While walking through the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, I was reminded of where my focus should be when everything around me seems to be getting darker. The technique used in a few of the paintings was intriguing. The creators used a contrast of light and dark to draw the observer’s attention to the place they felt was most important. My eyes were immediately drawn to and then lingered on the light areas, not the dark outer edges. I wondered why the dark places were needed at all. Why couldn’t the entire painting be bright and inviting?
God is Light
This made me think about how God is light and that there is absolutely no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). He is who my eyes are drawn to when things start feeling dark. God is who is important in my life. His light is so important that God sent Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us) to be the light of the world (John 8:12). While on this earth we must focus on that light. Jesus is who our creator deems important, where our eyes must focus. As followers of Christ, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us “…He has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Stop looking into the darkness and focus on where the creator wants you to focus, the light.”
Temptation
Despite where my eyes should stay focused, at times they are tempted to look into the dark places. Just as they were as I studied the paintings. Was it my curiosity that led me to the secret places of the darkness? It was like the darkness continuously tried to draw my eyes from the light. The place where the creator intended my eyes to stay. Why did my eyes stray? I wanted to know what I was missing. This is what caused Adam and Eve to sin. They wanted to know what they were missing out on. They wanted the knowledge of good and evil.
Don’t Be Fooled
Often, society encourages us to investigate and play around in the darkness. They tell us that it’s only dark if we want it to be. That it’s all relative to what you want to believe. The world calls evil good and good evil. Unless we have the Light of the World to shine upon those ideas, we could easily be fooled or encouraged to accept this fallacy. Isaiah 5:20 warns us against this “…Woe to those…who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…”
Walking in Darkness
Have you ever tried to walk in the dark? I know it does not go well for me. I bump into things and it is painful. John 12:35 tells us that, “…Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.” When we walk in the dark, we can lose our way. It also increases our chances of painful experiences. If you want to know where you are going, and the best way to get there, you must stay in the Word. For God’s word lights your path (Psalm 119:105). It is also a lamp shining in a dismal place (2 Peter 1:19). Life can be painful and dark. I want to light my path with God’s word so I’m not walking around life aimlessly. If we focus on God, He will guide us to a place of peace even in the midst of uncontrollable chaos.
A Stark Reminder
As I continued my journey through the museum, I found an intriguing painting called Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. In 1828 Thomas Cole depicted Adam and Eve’s journey out of Eden. They only knew an intimate relationship with God. How terrifying it must have been for Adam and Eve to be cast from Him forever into a world of chaos and destruction. I praise God I will never know that type of devastation because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. (Read more about God’s gift of salvation and our purpose in my December post.) However, I also realize that the darkness has its place. It is a stark reminder that the light is where I want to be.
Darkness
I believe a curious examination of the dark has its place, but from a distance and definitely not a place to dwell. Why ponder the dark? To realize what Christ has saved us from. The dark areas in a painting are meant to show us why the light areas are important. In life, the dark places remind us why we have chosen the light. It also encourages us to share our light so others don’t stay in the darkness.
We are the Light
We are called to be a focal point, a light in the darkness. The light that points others to Christ. Matthew 5:14 states, “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.” Philippians 2:15 lets us know that we are to shine like stars in a crooked and perverted generation. Matthew 5:16 tells us to, “let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” We are the light in this dark world!
A Promise
So, as the days grow darker, anxiety pushes in, and chaos seems to rule the day, remember the promise of John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Be at peace because the darkness will never overcome the light. Jesus even conquered the grave and that’s the darkest of dark. Do you personally know the light of the world, Jesus? He promises, “Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Ultimate Promise
The ultimate promise is found when Christ comes back. In Revelation 22:5 the Bible proclaims, “Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” How exciting! We will live in the light forever. There will be no darkness to be found. There will not even be a shadow. To God, who is the light, be the glory!
Challenge:
- Are you anxious about the state of the world? Focus on the light of the world. If you need to know how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, click here.
- Do you need to make a difficult decision? Focus on the light. Pray for God to illuminate the path He wants you to take. Don’t decide on something that leads you away from that lighted path. It will only take you into the darkness.
Share with me in the comments below how you stay focused on the light when everything seems dark.
Know that God is light in Darkness
