The Source of Light

In my previous devotional, I discussed the source of all forms of hardship. In a way, it seems easier to believe in a spiritual force of evil, as evil and darkness and heartache seem to be so abundantly present in this life. Just flip on the news channel or scroll social media for a few minutes and your mind will absorb story after story, of trauma, disaster, tragedy, oppression, devastation, disappointment, and heartache. Or even more, just look around your own household, neighborhood, or community to experience various forms of darkness.

For many, and at times throughout my own darkness, blaming God or the absence of a God, feels like the only way to justify the evil and darkness in us and around us. We find our selves wrestling with questions like:

How could a loving God allow such darkness to prevail in this world?
How could an all-knowing God turn his eyes from so much darkness?
How could a good God forsake so many helpless people during times of darkness?
How could a just God stay silent while darkness plagues humanity?
How could a powerful God sit by while the power of darkness seemingly triumphs?
How could an infallible God allow birth defects, genetic conditions, or mental disorders that feel dark and heavy?

And that's exactly what the enemy (discussed in the previous devotional) wants us to believe. That even IF there is a God, because the presence of darkness seems overwhelming, then He must be an unloving, detached, weak, uncaring, and powerless God.

But the truth is, that darkness has a ruler (Ephesians 6:12, ESV), darkness has a limit (1 John 4:4, ESV), and darkness has an end in store (Ezekiel 28:19, ESV). These truths are only made possible because of WHO sources true and everlasting light in this life and the next. I want to share a few powerful truths that speak into the source of our light, and the hope that this light brings to our dark world. But I want you to notice the progression that takes place within these verses:

"God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5, ESV).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:1-4, ESV).

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, ESV).

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5, ESV).

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6, ESV).

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV).

Did you catch it? God is light, and he has been present from the beginning. His light manifested into flesh, through the person of Jesus. Jesus became the light of the world. But then Jesus ascended back to God who sent him, sending us the very Holy Spirit of God that we might become the light of the world to continue what Jesus began.

Our culture loves self-help methods that focus on self reliance to become a better person. But God makes it abundantly clear...while a true follower of God is called to be a light in this dark world, that light is sourced from God alone. That light is found in his word; his truth. And that light is instilled in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit, because of the work of Jesus.

Self empowerment and self-help has a limit. After all, if we were fully capable of healing ourselves and being enough for the dark world, why did we need empowerment and help to begin with? True light is not sourced from within; it is sourced from  God. That light does, however, have the ability to dwell inside of us should we accept His invitation through Jesus. In that moment, the very light of God--a light, by the way, which is the only thing more powerful than the darkness of this world--indwells our hearts, minds, and lives, leading to powerful transformation.