From Darkness to Light
“But God." These are two of my most favorite words in all of Scripture. But God, who is rich in mercy, while we were yet sinners gave us new life in Christ (Eph. 2:4-5, paraphrased). While the darkness of sin ruled our lives, God placed His Light within us through the indwelling presence of His Spirit. In the olden days, people had to clean up to enter God’s presence. But without making us go through the ritual of purification first, God comes into our presence — He brings His Light into the neighborhood — to help with the cleanup process Himself.
I recently heard a story of a man who had had fallen out of love with his wife and was looking to others for satisfaction. But God, in his mercy, began to rekindle their love. Instead of continuing to focus on the darkness of hate and anger, the man began fixing his mind on what was true and right about both he and his wife. Each day as he drove great distances for work, the Lord led him to recount all the ways she was pure and lovely. Over time, as he continued to embrace the truth of who she was, the Light in his heart pushed back the darkness of his thoughts. Then one day as she worked in her kitchen, she heard a noise. When she looked up what she saw, she told me, was incredible. Her husband was standing in the doorway of their home with light shining all around him – filling the space between him and the door frame. As she stared at him bathed in this amazing light, he professed his great love for her.
Once we accept Christ, His Light shines in the depths of our soul, and any darkness we encounter cannot overcome it. Even in those moments when we choose the wrong and reject the right, the Light is still present. Yet when we repent – when we choose the right and reject the wrong, God’s Light pushes back the darkness of our hearts until eventually we will see it no more.
What can you do differently today to allow Christ to expand His Light and rid your heart of darkness? What steps do you need to take to follow Jesus more faithfully, so the Light can shine brightly through you into the world around you?