“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

Would you want to live without light? Imagine our world in complete darkness. No daylight slowly turning into night, only night, no moon or stars, only pitch black darkness 24/7. No light switches to flip on, no candles, no torches, no fires to burn and keep us warm. A place so dark you wouldn’t be able to see your hand in front of your face. Sounds awful doesn’t it? I certainly wouldn’t want to live like that. If I’m being totally honest I used to have a fear of the dark even as an adult. I believe my fear of the dark was because I learned at a very young age nothing good happens after sunset. If anything bad was gonna happen it happened when it was dark. Obviously I know that’s not always the case but, quite often, anyone up to no good tends to operate in the shadows. That’s the way I saw it as a young child watching telly and reading books. Bad people doing bad things at night. Or witches and demons and all manner of evil things coming out at night. I don’t know what I was watching, listening to or reading at that time but clearly I had a vivid imagination. So, this is where my fear of the dark came from as an adult. I had a childlike fear of the dark. A fear I have since traded in for childlike faith in Jesus, the One who brings the light because He is the Light.

Light chases away shadows, Keeps us from stumbling, helps us find our way, soothes us and keeps us warm. The same is true of The Light of the World, Jesus Christ. He is a light devoid of any darkness. All darkness flees when touched by His Light.

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 1:4-5.

Think about how you feel when you see the warm rays of sunshine coming out after several sunless cold dark winter days. It puts a smile on you face doesn’t it? Seeing the sunshine for the first time in days, the day seems more cheerful less dreary than those before it. You may even turn your face up to the sun to feel it’s warmth. We love to bask in the sunshine. We are naturally drawn to the light. Just as we are naturally drawn to Jesus, The Light of this World. Light brings comfort and peace and joy to our souls. The Light soothes us.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” Psalms 27:1 NLT

In the same way the light of the day shows the dust particles dancing in the sun rays or, as in my home, the dirt left on the freshly cleaned, or so I thought, countertops! Jesus light shining on us shows us our sins. But not in a way that condemns. More in a way to gently nudge us to seek his forgiveness and to work at doing better, being a better human, trying to do and act as Jesus would, with love and compassion. He is the sunshine that makes us want to be better people. So we might become sunshine and light in others lives.

We should be the person people look forward to seeing because we bring light to a dreary situation. We encourage those who are sad, depressed or in a rut. We bring happiness everywhere we go. We make people smile and laugh and enjoy life. All because the Light that lives in us. We should bring hope, healing, happiness and peacefulness because we are ambassadors of Christ.

“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 they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

As much we need light here on earth we need the Light of Jesus more. His light is essential to eternal life with God. Whoever believes in this Light becomes like him, reflecting him and his Light into a dark world, chasing away the scary shadows, lighting up the dark corners to reflect his warmth, his glory, his presence and his peace.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 119:105 NLT

If you are waking through a dark time right now ask Jesus for guidance and wisdom and allow him be The Light on your path.

Every time you flip on a light switch today think of Jesus and thank him for being your light.

The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers. Isaiah 10:17