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
When Mark and I first moved back to Delaware from Virginia we found ourselves a duplex and before we knew it we’d made our house into a home. With no basement, storage was limited to crawl spaces in our attic and a decent sized cubby under our steps. The cubby was a good sized area that went back and off to the right under the steps going to the second floor.
We stored quite a bit in there and I accessed it mainly to retrieve seasonal decorations. The only downside about the space was that there was no light inside. Often I would go in the dark little room and feel around for what I needed and after a time of groping around I would emerge with the item I was looking for. Call it laziness but seeking out a flashlight to take in seemed to just be an extra step. So, I would just go in with my memory of where things were and hope for the best.
Months had passed and I was headed in for the three or four Thanksgiving decorations I owned. I felt around until I found the box I recalled storing them in and then I rummaged around inside the box. “That’s not the fall decorations. Why are .jpg)
PINIMAGEthey not in here? How did that box get moved?” I resorted to finally heading to the laundry room for a flashlight.
When I returned I clicked on the flashlight and, to my horror, I found a Disneyland of spiders! They were everywhere, big and small, staring at me, crouched ready for attack! For all I know, I had touched one or two in all my dark excursions. I spun around in horror lighting up the corners of this tiny prison I found myself in. I was frozen in my tracks. I knew any false move might be the trigger for them to pounce. And then, who even knows what horrific events could ensue…
Oh, have I mentioned I have a slight phobia of spiders which can sometimes alter my imagination and expectation of what encounters with “said spiders” might present? Like death?!
Let me get to my point. Once I safely escaped that dungeon of terror, I shuddered to think about the many, many times I unknowingly subjected myself to that spiders lair. The mere thought made me physically sick. How could I have come so close to danger all those times and not know it?
It’s like that in life.
For a long time, I groped about in life, feeling my way through the darkness: never being certain of anything, never really seeing things for what they were or understanding the danger I had at times walked right into on my own accord.
But then I met Christ and the Light came on for me. Seeing life with the lights on created a radical change in me.
I met Christ and the Light came on for me.
Here are some things I have learned about living in the light.
Living in the Light gives me confidence.
I no longer have to rely on my own ability to navigate through this life.
Psalm 143:8, 10 says, “Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. SHOW me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”
No more groping through life in uncertainty.
Living in the Light gives me safety.
How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:7-11
Living in the Light gives me purpose.
The Light of the world causes His light to shine in me.
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-22
How about you? Are you overwhelmed in the darkness around you? Maybe you aren’t even aware of your need for the Light. My prayer is that you will allow the Light of the world to be shed abroad in your heart so that you too can experience the confidence and joy of stepping out of the darkness and living in the Light.
Carol - I have the same spider cave in my house and like you I am an aracaphobiea person . The illustration is perfect! I call it living in His presence!