DARKNESS DISRUPTERS
October 18, 2021
Prayer: Lord, You have made us to be lights in the darkness. Remind us of our identity and influence as carriers of Your Holy Spirit in our spheres of influence this week. Amen
Scriptures: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 ESV
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:19, ESV
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Eph. 5:11 ESV
For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light—for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth—proving what is pleasing to the Lord. Eph. 5:8 MEV
The other night I stubbed my toe in the dark. My husband can’t sleep well in a room with light, so our bedroom is very dark at night. I have had night blindness for years, so navigating my way to bed after he is already asleep is always an adventure, especially if something has been moved within toe stubbing distance!
I’ve been thinking about the nature of darkness and light lately. Our culture appears to be growing ever darker, but the interesting thing about darkness is that even the tiniest, dimmest light can disrupt it.
To achieve my husband’s desired level of darkened sleeping environment, I even have to cover the indicator light on our power strip. This is not a bright light in the daytime, but boy does its green glow penetrate the darkness!
Darkness cannot extinguish light. If light is present, it will illuminate the room. That’s what light does. I think sometimes we give darkness too much power. Yes, our culture does seem to be growing darker, but in reality, creation has been in the dark since the Garden of Eden, waiting for God’s light to shine.
Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV.
This spiritual application of light scattering darkness is obvious; as Christians, we carry God’s light with us into our spheres of influence. So, I encourage you, don’t cover it up, and don’t leave the room. Don’t let darkness settle around you, even if you are weak, tired, scared, or your light feels dim. You carry the Spirit of God, His Light, within you; therefore, just like it’s the nature of physical light to drive darkness away, it’s the nature of the Holy Spirit to drive spiritual darkness away. Jesus gave us his Spirit and told us to shine into the darkness. If things are getting darker, it’s because our lights are being covered, or we are not shining together. Imagine the brightness that happens when our lights shine together!
It doesn’t take much effort from us to be lights in the darkness and to drive it back. We just need to show up and not cover up. The purpose of light is to illuminate the darkness. How will you live that purpose today?
Copyright Vicki Milczewsky To connect with the author, email [email protected]
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This was such an encouraging reminder, especially your words about continuing to stay in the room and shine, even if we think our light is dim. As you said in your illustration, even though dim, the Holy Spirit’s light in us sheds more “green light” than we could ever imagine!
Blessings!
Laurie