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.”
John 8:12 NKJV
Do you ever feel you are walking in darkness? Not the blackness of sin, which is referenced in our key verse, but a season of difficulty. A time when life is filled with gloominess and disappointment. Fear and dread cling to us. We see the world through tear-filled eyes, and we wonder; will it ever improve?
But the shadows of life have limitations. December 21 marks the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year for those living in the northern Hemisphere. But the shortest day also is the longest night. In Virginia, we will have less than nine and one-half hours of daylight on the first day of winter. Many people already suffer with depression during the Christmas holiday. We only see the duskiness. We see the empty chair. We miss out on what everybody else seems to enjoy.
Some people contend with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The long hours of winter’s dimness exacerbates their depression. What an appropriate name, SAD.
Do you know what the greatest thing is about the lengthiest night? Hope arises from those extended hours of lightlessness. Each upcoming day will provide additional light. Darkness has gone as far as it’s allowed to go. God doesn’t permit it to invade our lives any further. Gradually, each day sheds more light. A reminder that little-by-little life gets better as more light slips in.
It’s fitting that the winter solstice and Christmas are only days apart. Christmas brings hope, peace, and joy. The official start to winter marks the dawning of a renewed confidence that all things are possible.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:5 NKJV)
Friend, I find myself not focusing on the light while my heart has been overtaken by murky waters. The reason is I have turned my back to the light. Let me explain. Imagine you are in a dark room, one with no windows in the midst of a black-out, and you light a candle. The flicker of that one candle chases the darkness away. I can’t deny the light, but I can turn my back toward it. What if I turned around, facing that tiny flame? You see, Jesus is our light in our midnight hour. We make a choice. Do we continue in despondency or do we focus on Jesus, the light of the world?
I want to encourage you today. Each time, we catch ourselves consumed with hopelessness, turn towards the light. Refuse to stare at the shadows. Face the light of Jesus, our beacon of hope, knowing day-by-day, the light will increase.
Yes, this might be your longest night, but hope exists in the God of hope. Slowly, nightfall will recede. Jesus’ light will shine, and you will face the day with a new expectancy.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the light of my life. Help me always seek Your light instead of the shadows. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Romans 15:13 NKJV
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
HIKING THE TRAIL
The key action in Romans 15:13 is “believing.” We must firmly trust in God when things appear bleak. Post this verse somewhere to remind yourself that we are never without hope.
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Originally posted on December 20, 2019 @ 3:00 am