Let Light Shine Out of the Darkness

Fall is upon us. It is my favorite season. I’m not sure if it is because of those childhood memories of heading back to school, high school football games, the upcoming holiday season or the cooler autumn temperatures.  The one thing I do not care a great deal for is the days growing shorter and nights longer. Ugh! That means more dark. If you have followed me for very long, you know that dark is not my friend. 

If you think about it in a spiritual way, darkness is not anyone’s friend. As Christ followers, we are called to be in the Light, to live in the Light and to share the Light to push out darkness.

In 2 Corinthians we are told that God’s light snuffed out the darkness. He has also shined His light into our hearts. This light shows us the glory of God through the presence of Jesus Christ in our world, within our hearts.

We are given in our earthly bodies the honor of representing the power of God through the things we do for Him, not in honoring ourselves. Yes, we are faced with difficulty and uncertainty all around us, yet we, as His followers—as much as darkness wants us to be—are not defeated. We are strengthened.  

We are confounded by this craziness that is our world but our hope is still strong.  We are abused and intimidated but we know our God is there with us.  Although some are struck down for their service to Christ, many, many more are still there, moving forward.  It is crazy, but trouble and persecution seem to cause the movement for Christ to explode, and darkness to be eeked out bit by bit.

In verse six specifically we are told that the God Who created the universe, who created the light and commanded that darkness flee from the light, has shined His great light into our hearts.  This great light that we have been bathed in has helped us see and recognize God’s glory in Jesus Christ. 

The challenge for those that follow Christ must first be to always recognize God’s light, and then to allow that light to dazzle their heart and light it up inside so that it is visible on the outside.  They must day by day make a deliberate determination to recognize God’s movement in our lives. They must apply themselves to nurturing the light within so that others can see something different. They must seek to be bold in speaking the truth through light to a dark, dark world.

What this Light means to my faith is a wellspring of thankfulness that the very One that spoke the words to create the universe and make light that would scatter the dark knows my name. He loved me enough to put the  Light that is His Son, Jesus, into my very heart! He allows me to live as His child and someday I will see Him face to face and will have an eternal home filled with light. There will be no darkness. 

Lord, I am so thankful to be the recipient of Your grace and Your marvelous light. I pray that I will always be able to see that light and be willing to share it with the world to chase away the darkness. Please take control of my heart, mind, will, and emotions and use them for Your glory. 

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 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)

 “To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: 8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.”  Psalm 136:7-9 (KJV)

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].” Isaiah 45:7 (KJV)

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”  Ephesians 1:17 (KJV)

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

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What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe, the One that caused darkness to flee?  Do you know Jesus, the Light of the World? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  Do you want to step out of the darkness? You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net