The Light In The Darkness

Recently, my husband and I were having a conversation about something.  I can’t even remember what the topic was exactly, but I do remember saying, “We just live in such a dark place.”  I quickly said, “Well, not as in too little light…”  He knew exactly what I was talking about and quickly interjected, “Yeah, spiritually dark.”  

We live in a community in which it is said that 90% are unchurched.  There are times when I feel the oppression of this number in my spirit very deeply.  Other times, I feel I have met so many great Christian people in this community who are doing such great things for God that I have a hard time believing the statistic.

My comment regarding “not as in too little light” made me begin to ponder. We do live in a spiritually dark place, but is it an even darker place due to not enough light?  Is it a darker place when I do not shine my light enough?  Is it a darker place when my fellow Christians are too busy or too comfortable or too ashamed of the gospel to be Christ’s light in the world around them?

Have you ever been in a place such as a cave or a cavern where there is literally no light?  Your pupils fully dilate and your eyes futilely open as wide as they can to try to get as much light as they possibly can.  However, there is no light to be found.  It is pitch black.

Now, what if one candle was brought in, then two, then more.  What is there were finally 30 candles and then 100.  The cave or the cavern would not be dark anymore.  The light would illuminate the place.  The candles would light up the darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) says, “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.”

How do we become a body of believers who shines their light in a world of darkness?  One light at a time.  Where is your light?  Is it dim with self-doubt?  Is it hidden under a basket?  There will always be darkness until the day of Christ’s return, but how much darker it will be if we choose not to be the light of the world.  Ask Christ today in prayer to reveal to you what might be holding you back from shining your light before men.  Be strong and courageous, my dear friends.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9, ESV