“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” — Ephesians 5:13-14 (ESV)
Light and Dark
All throughout Scripture, God reiterates a consistent, powerful metaphor: light and dark. Scripture depicts the darkness as that which is without God and light as that which has God in it. As “children of light,” it’s vital for us to dive deeply into this concept of light and dark that we might experience the fullness of all God has made available to us (1 Thessalonians 5:5). We must accept that both light and dark exist, that we can engage with both, and learn what it is to choose light at every turn.
In Isaiah 42:16 (ESV) God says, “I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” God has not left us to wander in darkness. He never leaves us or forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We who were blind to the paths of God have had our eyes opened through the powerful sacrifice of Jesus. We now have relationship with the Holy Spirit who seeks to guide us into the light with every thought, emotion, action and decision.
Ephesians 5:14 (ESV) says, “For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” It’s time for you and me to arise from any part of darkness and live in the shining light of Christ Jesus. It’s time for us to wake up from our former lives that were consumed with chaos, lies and sin, come out of the shadows, and find true life in the light of God’s presence, will and Word.
God has so much more in store for you than a life lived working to escape darkness. The power of Jesus’ sacrifice has hidden you in Him. His light is your light. But before we can experience this fullness of life available to us, we must allow Him to open our eyes. We must allow Him into the darkest places of our past, thoughts, feelings and perspectives. We must allow His light to illuminate our darkest of sins in order that those which cause us the most shame might be healed and broken off of our lives.
Just as light can hurt a little at first when we’ve become accustomed to darkness, seeing the parts of our lives that we’ve shut off to God, others and even ourselves can be painful. But, once we’ve allowed God to illuminate our whole lives that we might see ourselves as we truly are, we will discover a wealth of grace, love and forgiveness unlike any we’ve ever known. Once we experience the unconditional love of a God who knows all we’ve ever done, thought and felt, our lives begin to change by His overwhelming goodness. Light is powerful in its ability to heal, set free and empower.
Take time in prayer to open your heart to your Heavenly Father and reflect on this Biblical principle of light and dark. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to seek the light of God in all things. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the places in your life He longs to heal. And find grace, rest and forgiveness in the loving presence of your Heavenly Father.
— Craig Denison, First 15
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