By Anna Haiar

Light, Darkness, and the Faithful Presence of Christ

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

“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

In one of my elementary art classes, we are working hard on lighthouse projects. Students are tasked with painting a stormy sea, adding a sandy beach, and finally drawing and coloring a lighthouse to place on the shore. As part of our art unit, we’ve studied lighthouses and their history and purposes, and how they work to guide ships, boats, fishermen and sailors back to safety when the seas become rough and the night darkens. 

A lighthouse is a quiet kind of witness. It does not chase ships through the sea or shout directions across the waves. It simply stands and offers its light to anyone willing to look up, perhaps reminding us that guidance often comes not through force, but through faithful presence. Scripture frequently speaks of light as God’s chosen image for truth, safety, and salvation.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Psalm 27:1 ESV

Light does not remove the storm, but it reveals the way through it. In the same way, Christ does not promise a life free from danger or darkness, but He promises clarity, direction, and hope within it.

A lighthouse finds its full purpose when darkness falls. In daylight, the light blends into the shoreline, easy to overlook. But at night or during dark, ominous storms—when visibility fades and fear rises—its light becomes essential. So it is with our faith. It is often in seasons of uncertainty, grief, or confusion that Christ’s presence becomes most evident. When our own vision fails, His light does not.

Jesus declares,

“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 ESV

This is not merely poetic language; it is a promise of direction. Following Christ means orienting our lives toward a fixed point—one that does not shift with cultural tides or personal emotion. A lighthouse does not move toward the ship—the ship must navigate toward the light. In the same way, faith calls us to lift our eyes, trust the source, and steer our lives accordingly. Christ stands firm, shining steadily, inviting us home.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Christ’s light does more than comfort us; it reshapes how we see the world, our suffering, and our purpose.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.