Let There Be Light

Let’s close our eyes really tight, then slowly open them. OK, take a minute to do that. What is the first thing we see? Light! Then we may need to let our eyes adjust and focus what is around us, but we see light first.

John 8:12 tells us: “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (NLT)

I think the whole reason of Christmas can be summed up with “Love”. Love sent His Son to earth as a baby because God knew we needed a light in the darkness to show us our way back to Him. The Light that would shine on our sin so we can have forgiveness. The Light that would shine on our wrong motives so we can align and abide with Him. The Light to shine in the darkness of our situations to bring us hope.

Even a small light can penetrate a dark room. But Jesus was no small light. He blazed like a bonfire and some didn’t want or like that much light shining. They preferred the darkness.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5
or
”And the light keeps shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it or understood it.”

There were many in Jesus’ day that couldn’t grasp or understand that He was the Messiah. They wouldn’t let the Light penetrate their minds for understanding. Jesus was rejected because they didn’t know Him. They didn’t see that the Light brought life and heaven to us. They didn’t get that by staying stuck in the darkness, they would invite death and hell in their lives.

What we love, the light or the darkness, will control our actions.

God started creation with: “And God said. ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.’” Genesis 1:3
We see in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 that us being a new creation begins by accepting the Light in our lives:

“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”(NLT)

What a great gift we have been given! And what a great opportunity we have to share that Light with those around us. We have the Light that leads to life and we need to overcome the darkness around us with it. We have the immense honor of sharing this Light with those who are stuck in the darkness. That are stuck without hope.

The impact of Jesus’ life in this world is still being felt today!

When Dean had Covid I had to sleep in the guest room, I found out that our neighbors flood night shone right into the room. I like a dark room when I sleep, so that was annoying. I’m sure the light for them was for protection and peace of mind and I felt safer sleeping alone knowing it was on. But it also kept waking me up. When my grand kids sleep over they like a little light on and we compromise to get on the brightness. My point? Your light shining may be annoying to others and we need to be aware of how “bright” we are coming across to others and adjust so they can receive the light, but we keep shining! Let’s be the light others need.

“So don’t hide your Light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as a light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

One of the things I love to do this time of year is sit with only the Christmas tree lights on. And this year I will remember the Light that has come to bring me life. I will let the Light penetrate the darkness in my life so that the light in my life with be visible and evident to those around me and shine the way back to God.

Will you join me?

I hope you have a great, light-filled, fantastic day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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