Afraid of the Light?

Happy Spring Break!

Recently, in a morning devotion I read of a time back when electricity was first being introduced to a little Scottish village, almost everybody in a particular church switched from the propane lanterns to electricity just as soon as it could be hooked up. However, the oldest couple in the congregation couldn't get their electricity because they were waiting for the poles to go up and the wire to be strung. So they continued to use their propane lanterns.

The day finally came when the electricity was brought into their home. Everyone came for the festive event. Teh old man waited for it to get extra dark; then he told his wife to go turn on the switch. When she did, the light filled the room, and everyone rejoiced. The old man grinned from ear to ear, picked up a propane lamp and said, "It sure makes lighting my lamps easier." And with that he lit a lamp, and his wife turned off the electricity.

We can be like that sometimes, can't we? We can't see the light for need to hang on to the darkness in our lives. Christ sheds His holy light into the dark recesses of our hearts and lives and sometimes we decide we'd rather keep those places hidden. We decide that we only want the light of Christ to shine in the selective sections of our soul. Are there areas of your life where you are more afraid of the light than you are of the dark?

The Bible tells us that we cannot hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24) and that even the darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:11-12). As Christians, we do not hold onto the darkness of our lives and live in the darkness...as that is not faithful to the calling of our Lord. John 3:19-21 says, "...the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." Even 1Thessalonians 5:5 says, "For you are children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."

Whatever darkness you continue to hold onto...whatever darkness you continue to live in...allow the light to overcome it and light your path to experience the light of life (John 8:12). No need to be afraid of the light anymore...it will disperse and consume any darkness in your life!

Lord of Light, thank You for lighting my path. Forgive me for living in darkness and not allowing You access to the deepest, darkest parts of my life. I am grateful for Your light and the power it has to scatter the darkness and bring warmth to my soul. I want to be a child of the light and not be afraid of what the light may reveal. I want to bask in the Light of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.