Light in the Darkness
When I was in elementary school, my art teacher asked us to color an entire sheet of white construction paper with bright, vibrant colors. We spent weeks filling our sheets with electric, luminous, Crayola colors. The only color we were prohibited from using was black. I can still remember the smell of those crayons, a faint scent of soap mixed with a leatherlike clay, and the slick, waxy residue that lingered on my fingertips.
Weeks later, my teacher instructed the class to do the unthinkable: saturate our eye-catching, filled sheets with black crayon. The following week, she demonstrated how to use a sharp carving tool to etch a design into the jet-black slate. We watched in awe as she etched through the darkness, revealing magnificent light and color, beneath the surface.
A new story was being forged, and a grand scene was unfolding right before our eyes. Galaxies, planets, and stars began to pop off the page; smiles spread across faces, and a thrill of excitement filled the classroom.
Before creation, Jesus, the eternal Word, entered our dark world of sin, bringing forth light that darkness cannot overcome. God teaches, leads, and redeems those who place their faith in Jesus. He uses faith, obedience, and surrender to create masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10)!
As we walk with Jesus, He etches His perfect will into our lives through His razor-sharp goodness and unfailing love. His faithfulness pierces the darkness of our sin, transforming us as we draw near to Him.
God spoke through the darkness at creation, and He continues to speak through the darkness in our lives today. He is the Light of the world!
Are you experiencing job loss or a career change, or struggling with addiction or relapse? Are you going through a divorce, an illness, or the loss of a loved one? Are you dealing with the torment of grief, sadness, or loneliness? Whatever darkness looms in your life, I want you to know you are not alone. God loves you and is for you. God is with you always (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus has met me in the darkness of a surgical center, and He has sat with me on the floor, holding me as I was heartbroken and crushed in spirit by an unwanted divorce. He has moved with me through the uncertainty of relocating to a new state and has mentored me through the twists and turns of parenting. He continues to comfort me through the unwavering highs and lows of grief. I’ve witnessed God etch His faithfulness into the darkness of my life, and I believe He is ready and willing to do the same in your life today.
As we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us (James 4:8). I encourage you to read your Bible, join a community with other men and women of faith, and thank God for all the ways He has blessed you and continues to bless you. I charge you to pray for someone else going through a difficult time and to encourage them with a simple card, text, or phone call. As we give away love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, we will be blessed.
God commands us to trust, believe, and follow Him. He uses our faith in Jesus to transform our lives. He etches away the darkness, revealing the light of His love and the radiant colors of redemption, healing, reconciliation, and restoration.
God’s light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5; NIV). Can you see it? Can you feel it?
We must keep walking with Jesus daily and sharing His faithfulness with others.
Jesus isn’t afraid of the dark, deep, and messy parts of our lives; He came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Jesus is the Light of the world. Follow Him today, and you will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).
Dear God, give us a desire to live as a child of God. Help us to stop rejecting You and accept You with all our hearts. Help us receive Your love this week as we spend time with You. Reveal Yourself to us in ways we can see and feel. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.