The Light of Life
Standing outside in the sunlight holding a candle, it’s shining but it's light blends with the sunlight around it. So often, only when we cling to that same candle in the darkest of nights can we fully appreciate it and allow it to light our way. These dark times are most definitely pointing us to the light…
You know the light is there. You can see it if you turn your eyes to find it, the candle that you hold. The sunlight causes you to look here and there, taking in all of the beauty that surrounds you. It isn’t difficult. It’s as easy as breathing because darkness is nowhere to be found. The sun is warm on your face. Each step is illuminated with brilliant rays of golden goodness. There are too many distractions to name, the green fields, the flowered valleys and the blue skies dotted with clouds. All is well. The world is as it should be. You feel sure footed, stable and secure. All the while, holding your candle close knowing how valuable it is, knowing that it will be the only source of light to guide your way should you ever end up in pitch black. You are thankful for the sunlight, thankful for the song in your heart and the skip in your step. Why would you ever want to leave its splendor? If darkness was your home how could you sing of joy, find your way or be thankful for it?
Darkness and the Light of Jesus
You know the light is there. It is all you can see, the candle that you hold. You turn your eyes to find the sunlight and it is gone. You hold on to the candle with a mighty grip. You look here and there and all you see is darkness. It’s the hardest thing you have ever done. You can hardly breathe because sunlight is nowhere to be found. You are cold. You shake with fear. You cannot find your way out of this pitch black. Where is the goodness you once knew? It is no more. All you know is sadness and despair. The world is chaos. The darkness closes in around you and you lose your way. You feel volatile and alone. You hold your candle close, knowing how valuable it is, knowing that it will be the only source of light now that you have ended up in pitch black. How can you be thankful for this darkness? How can you be thankful for the ache in your heart and the paralyzing fear in your soul? There is one thing that is the same, one thing that has accompanied you in both the sunlight and the darkness. That one thing is the light of Jesus. He shines bright in your darkness. He is all you have in your darkest of nights. You draw closer to his light than you ever did in the sunlight. His light is the only warmth on your face, the only light for your path. He becomes your all, your everything. He shines his light into your very soul, giving you a song to sing when you don’t have your own, teaching you that darkness can be just as beautiful as sunlight when he is in it, slowly replacing your fear and heartache with joy and faith. Keep hold of your candle and never let it go and whether in sunlight or darkness, all will be well with the world.
… “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
May His light shine in your darkness,
Debbie Kirk
