I often think we are a people who have closed our eyes and turned our backs on the Light of the world. That great Light is Jesus. The Light shines to illumine our way, but we don't want it. Whether because of fear or because we were never taught there is a Light, we refuse even to open our eyes, let alone turn around to see it!
Light dispels darkness. Where there is no light, there is total darkness. Where there is even a small ray of light, we can see a little. But we often choose darkness rather than light. "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil...whoever lives by the truth comes into the light" (John 3:19-21 NIV). Darkness represents sin and the world of evil; light represents the true church of Jesus Christ. We determine to keep our eyes closed so we won't have to look at ourselves with the eyes of Jesus.
Churches also often refuse to open their eyes and accept the keys of authority Jesus offers to them - authority over the powers of darkness - to enable them to assume their role of being a light to the nations. However, today a great army of true believers is rising up around the world, a great church knowing no denomination, but a people whose eyes have been opened and who have turned to look at Jesus who is "God with us" (Matt.1:23). This is the church of which Jesus said that all the powers of hell shall not prevail against (Matt.16:18).
If we walk with the Light in this life, we have absolutely nothing to fear. Troubles and persecutions become as mere shadows across the path before us, and honestly, has anyone ever tripped over over a shadow? Of course if we don't allow the Light to shine properly, troubles cause us to stumble and fall over them!
Light brings truth. Have you ever pondered the meaning of something for days and then, suddenly, something clicks in your mind and you wonder how you could have been so slow to understand? It is like this with spiritual truths. We suddenly open our eyes as it were and become so excited we can scarcely contain ourselves about the new gem of truth we have discovered.
Electrical illumination comes from power from lines hooked up to a source of power. Unless we are 'hooked up' to Jesus, we remain in darkness. But if we get hooked up to His supernatural power, it is the great power of the resurrection which burst open the tomb on Easter morning. It is a power which, Jesus tells us, lives IN us (John 17:16). It is a power which can cause people to fall down when a man of God prays. It can run through bodies like electrical currents giving one a great peace which those who close their eyes to the Light will never experience.
Christianity is not a dead religion. It is quite the contrary when we hook up to the power line. Our problem is that we want to have our prayers answered in our own terms; we are unwilling to let the Creator of the world, the Creator of light and darkness, decide what is best for us.
We want the gifts without the Giver. We want to look with our own eyes but we don't want the Light of truth. We just want to use our own minds with their limited understanding.
The 'sun' kills germs. The 'Son' of God kills sin. The sun shines in our window each morning, so we must allow the Son of God in our hearts each morning to keep us happy. The Son gets rid of negative thoughts. The Son frees us from nervous tension. The Son sets us free from sin and guilt. The Son illuminates our mind with truth, and assures us that whatever may happen that day will be only a shadow across our path over which we cannot trip!
"If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
© 1999, Doreen Palmer