by Richelle Hecker

Walking in Darkness to See the Light.

“You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 English Standard Version

I love going to the mountains, getting away from light pollution and gazing at the night sky.  I have to admit that sometimes in the dark wilderness, I get nervous as well.  I imagine all sorts of dangers just outside my vision. Still, it is never complete darkness. The stars are always there shining their light.  When the moon is full it seems nearly as bright as the sun, lighting my way in the dark. I love it when the moon is big and beautiful lighting up the world around me. On nights like that I’m not afraid.

There have been times when I experienced spiritual darkness.  I walked in fear because I didn’t know what was beyond my line of sight.  Yet the truth is that we as Christians are never in total darkness.  We always have light; we just need to allow our spiritual eyes to adjust.

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 English Standard Version

This is a promise.  Those who belong to Christ do not walk in darkness. He lights their way with wisdom, understanding and revelation.

“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 Corinthians 4:6 English Standard Version

Situations that leave us wandering in the dark make sense when His light shines on them and then our fear subsides.  We may not understand why we have to walk a dark path but God in His wisdom reveals Himself to us. There is beauty in the darkness we would never discover if we always remained in the light.  His light always shines; being in darkness grants us a clearer view. I travel to the mountains to better encounter the night sky, and sometimes we must enter dark places to perceive the fullness of His light.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church,  Colorado Springs, Colorado