How to Use My Light Source on an Astoundingly Dark Path

A Light in the Darkest Dark

I wasn’t usually scared of the dark, but… When I was a child, my dad’s parents spent their summers in SE New Mexico. And when we would visit, we always made the trip to Carlsbad Caverns. Back in those days, you waited for the guided tours. The blazing summer sun roasted us as we walked the trail to the cool darkness of the cave.

At one point in the tour, when the group had trekked beyond the reach of the entrance, the ranger had everyone sit on stone benches. Here they would tell us a bit about the history of the cave, etc. But they also turned out all the lights. There was no hint of light anywhere. You’d keep waiting for your eyes to adjust. To see something. But there was nothing. And I would always grow panicky, thinking maybe the bulbs went out or something.

Fortunately, they always came back on, and we’d finish the tour to the bottom and eat box lunches underground.

Light in the Darkness

Psalm 27:1 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” For David, Yahweh was his Light and his salvation. We know David spent time in caves, too, so he’s telling us that his reliance on God brought him comfort.

The LORD is my Light is Jehovah Orri in Hebrew. [yeh-ho-VAW OR] But we don’t only see Father God as our light source.

Jesus as Light

John gives us a progression of just who Jesus is:

Light of men: John 1:4-“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”
He provided the light of life: John 8:12-Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Great! So I follow Christ, and I get the light. Then what?

Shine your light

It’s no coincidence that Matthew tells us what to do with the light we get from Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We are called to shine His light and His love on a dark world. But, how do we know how to do that?

We have a lamp

Thankfully, God has given us a lamp. We don’t have to stumble around, looking for the path. We have Scripture. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

If I were to ask you how much time per day you spend studying God’s Word, what would you say? But if I asked you to compare that amount with the time you spend on social media? How do the two compare?

Yeah, me, too. But one of the biggest perks of retirement is that my quiet times can go as long as I need them to.

Look to the future

I’m excited about heaven, aren’t you? No, I’m not in a rush to get there, but it’s thrilling to imagine constant time in God’s Holy presence. And NO DARKNESS! “ The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (Rev. 21:23) Christ lights the entirety of heaven!

So, today, I prescribe a bit of light. Let’s grab our Bibles and have a holy appointment with the Son.

Prayer – using 4 Aspects of Prayer

Adore – Blessed Jehovah Orri, I praise You because You are are the Light who lights my path.

Admit – I admit that, at times, I don’t spend as much time with You as I could.

Ask – I pray that You give me a hunger for more time with You, that You help me do more to share this precious light I’ve been given.

Acknowledge – I thank You for preparing a place for me where there will be no more darkness. Ever!