Light In The Darkness

Louise Harris

Like many others, I find the limited daylight hours rather challenging at this time of year.

I am a summer person and struggle a bit in the winter. I especially relish an escape to a warm and sunny climate whenever possible, soaking up the sunshine is always a tonic.

It’s made me think about God’s amazing light, and its wonderful appearance when things are rather dark.
Life can be tough and feel rather gloomy at times, but his ability to pierce the darkness with his brilliant light never ceases to astound and encourage me.

I particularly love it when I can see his hand in difficult situations: smoothing the way ahead, opening closed doors, picking us up, comforting, healing and lifting us, providing specific help in times of trouble, generously blessing us with just what we need & when we need it, sending us unexpected signs that he really is in the finer detail & knows us intimately.

I could go on, but to me all these things are examples of his rays of light shining into the most difficult of circumstances.
The words of Jesus in John 8 sum it up perfectly:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

We too are to reflect his light to others: Matthew 5: 14-16 says that we also are the light of the world, we are told to let our light shine before men, not hide it.

To me this means being aware of those around us and their struggles, and shining God’s light through acts of kindness, encouraging words, thoughtfulness, giving our time and so forth.

And so when it goes dark today and I light my candles, turn on my copious twinkly lights and sit by the fire, I will think about the Light of the World and how the darkness cannot quench it (John 1:5).