January 13, 2022 — Do the lights come on automatically when it’s dark?

“The other day I was at Big Box Wholesale Club doing my regular shopping,” Stan commented, “and I saw something I hadn’t seen before.”

“That’s one of the things that makes shopping at Big Box so much fun,” I replied. “What did you find?”

“Outdoor lights,” he said, “that have some sort of sensor that makes them come on automatically when it gets dark.”

“Oh,” I replied, “I’ve seen those. Pretty clever. Did you get some?”

“I did,” Stan said. “I’m not real handy with electricity and haven’t put the lights up yet, but one of my neighbors told me he would help me install them this weekend.”

“That’s certainly nice,” I said. “You have some nice neighbors!”

“Sure do,” Stan responded. “And with this particular neighbor I’m hoping to have the opportunity to tell him something that was brought to my attention about how these lights are just like my faith walk is supposed to be.”

“How’s that?” I asked.

“When I am confronted by the darkness of the world, the flesh, and/or the devil,” Stan replied, “how the light of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirt is to come on automatically to get rid of that darkness.”

“Come on automatically,” I repeated. “You think that’s the way it’s supposed to be?”

“I do,” Stan replied. “Although Jesus wasn’t talking about electricity when He was talking about the lights, He was talking about a much brighter light when He first described Himself as the light of the world. He then turned around and told us who believe that we are the light of the world.”

“Well,” I said, “if we are to be the light of the world, what are we supposed to do?”

“We are supposed to do what light does,” Stan replied. “Get rid of the darkness, remembering two things: first, that light is the only remedy for darkness and, secondly, that the light is to come on automatically when darkness approaches!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5.

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 a peck measure, but on the lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:14-15.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving your Son as the Light of the World so that all who believe can have life eternally with you when it’s time. Thank you, too, that His light can and will shine in and through each person who surrenders and chooses to have that light shine. I confess that too often I am attracted to the darkness of the world, the flesh, and the devil and I choose that darkness over your light. Please forgive that foolishness. And please help me follow every step of your lead so I am the light you intend to shine into the darkness and make a difference for you and your kingdom. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you have the assurance of salvation by having accepted God’s free and gracious provision of the Light of Life? If no, why? If you do have the assurance of salvation for when your time here is completed, how are you doing with being the light of the world that shines the Light of Life into the dark world? Do you believe that the light of Christ is the only solution for the darkness? Why or why not? If you sense the need for changes in your life to be the light you are intended to be, how are those changes going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?