Defeating Darkness

Defeating Darkness

Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:42

I want you to try something. If you have an inside room that is totally dark, go into that room and sit still for ten minutes. While you’re there, think about the gift of sight and how most of us take it for granted. Go ahead and do it now. I’ll wait here until you get back.

Our ability to see is a marvelous gift, and we often don’t realize how important it is until it’s gone.

One summer while on a solo camping trip, I went spelunking in a cave. I was about seventy-five yards in when I dropped my flashlight. When it hit the ground, the light flickered out. Suddenly, I was standing in pitch darkness, and it was immediately clear to me why you’re never supposed to go exploring alone. I couldn’t see a thing, and I didn’t know what to do. There was no way I could make my way out of the cave alone without a light source. I began to panic.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but being trapped alone in the darkness of a cave was symbolic of my life as an atheist. I thought I could handle everything, until suddenly I couldn’t. That’s when I realized I was trapped, alone, and blind.

As I stumbled around in the dark, my foot hit something, and I backed up. It was the flashlight! When I kicked it, it turned on, casting its beam on the far wall of the cave. In that instant, the darkness had no choice but to retreat into the crevices and the shadows. The light was victorious.

Though I didn’t see the connection right then, I later understood that Jesus, the Light of the World, could defeat the darkness in my life. My joy was made complete when he shone his light and love into the previously darkened corners of my life.

Go back into your dark room again, and think about the darkness. How does it feel to be alone and blind? When you’re ready, flip on the light, or light a candle and see how quickly the light defeats the darkness. Now imagine what God’s light can do for the darkness in your life.

TODAY’S RX

Things may be dark for a while, but God’s light always overcomes the darkness.

Jesus, you are the Light of the World. Thank you for shining your light on me.