“When I was growing up,” Stan commented one morning, “I had an older brother who delighted in scaring me.”
“In what way or ways did he scare you?” I asked.
“His favorite was to hide behind a door in the dark hallway that led to the bedroom,” Stan replied. “He would then jump out and just about scare me to death. I got so I didn’t even want to walk down that hallway.”
“Didn’t the hallway have any lights?” I asked.
“As a matter of fact, it did,” Stan replied.
“Excuse me for asking the obvious,” I said, “but why didn’t you turn on the lights so it wasn’t dark? Why didn’t you just flip the switch?”
“Good question,” Stan replied. “I don’t have a good answer for that, just like sometimes I don’t have a good answer today for when the Holy Spirit asks the same question.”
“I’m not sure I follow,” I said.
“The world we live in can be a dark place,” Stan replied. “The only known cure for darkness is light. Jesus said He is the light of the world. He also said we, as believers, are the light of the world. If those two things are true, which they are, the Holy Spirit rightfully asks me why do I not shine light into the darkness by just flipping the switch and dispelling the darkness.”
“And why do you think you sometimes don’t have a good answer to that question?”
“Oh,” Stan replied, “there are all sorts of answers to that question. Liking the darkness more than I like the light. Not being concerned enough about the lasting impact of darkness. Not wanting to interfere with what other people are doing. Fearing being seen as judgmental. As I said, all sorts of answers.”
“But none of them is a very good answer,” I said. “Right?”
“Exactly right!” Stan replied. “Darkness only does what darkness does until someone shines the light. It only gets darker. And the only known cure for darkness is light!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16.
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18.
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. John 3:19.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for providing all of the light that is needed to end all darkness that is in my life and which is in the world. I confess that too often I do not shine your light into the darkness because that is what I choose to do. Please forgive those foolish choices. Please help me in following every step of your lead to dispel all of the darkness that can and will impact my relationship with you, as well as all of the darkness that is so impacting the world. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Jesus is the light of the world. Have you accepted that light so you have the assurance of spending eternity with God when it’s time? If no, why? It’s a free and gracious gift from God that only needs to be accepted. If you have the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with being the light you are intended to be? If you sense your light is not shining as brightly as you and God would like, what can be done? Are you willing to do that? Why or why not?
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The Book — Waiting for the Train — Biblical Food for Growing Before Going, a 100-day devotional by S. Tory Teller (Foreword by Josh McDowell). Available from amazon.com and from the publisher at www.s-toryteller.com
Waiting for the Train 