Welcome to the PoG Blog! John 8:12 (NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
As I walk through life I’m perplexed by the differences in Light and Dark in the world. I know this is a simple thing to grasp, but when you really try to pay attention (which I’m so guilty of not doing enough!) you see things that make you understand in a different way.
When a child is scared at night, you turn on a light or provide a nightlight to them so they’re not so frightened.
When you walk into a dark room, do you leave the lights off and bump into things or do you turn on a light to see where you’re going?
When you’re driving at night, how do you navigate where you need to go? You use the moonlight, a flashlight, a street light, your cell phone, or even fire to help guide your way.
In Star Wars, all the bad guys are on the “Dark Side”! (OK, and in many, many other stories and movies as well, this one was just so obvious to me!)
Recently, my dad experienced a retinal detachment so much that it was like a curtain was closing in one of his eyes. One day he could see perfectly fine, the next day he felt as though he had an eyelash in his eye and the next day he could only see half of a person’s face. Luckily we got him to a doctor and in emergency surgery in time and he’s recovering well, but I can’t imagine what it feels like for one of your eyes to go completely dark. To start losing sight or having lost all sight.
Jesus tells us of a place we don’t have to fear the dark; in Him. He will guide us and show us the way, we just have to look for His guidance. In Him, not only do we follow His light, He also gives us light to help others. It’s like we’re flashlights to people in dark places. We are a flickering candle, a flashlight with everlasting batteries, and the sun on a dark and gloomy day. We GET to be these things to others because of Jesus’ love.
Let’s shine!
Heavenly Father, thank You for being light, for giving us light to shine for You. Please guide us to places where we can best use our light to illuminate You to those who don’t know You or who are in a fearful place and just need to see some good on this earth. Give us hearts of courage so we will not be intimidated to shine. We love You. Amen
Toni