“God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 NIV.
Anything between you and the Light casts shadows across life.
My thoughts and comments today are about “darkness and light.”
Who has not playfully cast shadows on a wall, forming your hands to project a silhouette of for a child’s amusement? Shadows can amuse but also frighten children. Like children, adults can also become frightened by them. Shadows are dark and loom larger than whatever they project, an exaggeration of a smaller reality. “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: ‘God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.’” 1 John 1:5 NIV. Light disperses darkness.
Shadows result when something blocks the light. Circumstances cause shadows that appear menacing and dark. In a moment, your imagination can create illusions of danger where there may be none. An unfortunate failure can cast a painful shadow for a long time, suggesting you are a failure when you are not. Your past can cast a long shadow, projecting itself as though it were a prediction of their future. Or troubling questions produce shadows, misleading you to think that because you do not have an answer right now that there is no adequate answer. Know this, as Job discovered about our God, “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.” Job 12:22 NIV.
“If we walk in the light as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 NAS. Anything you allow between you and the One who is the Light will cause life to seem shadowy and uncertain. To disperse shadows, all you need is more light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT. Read 2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV.
The Shepherd Psalm reads, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4 NIV. Whenever and wherever shadows darken your path, you will find Jesus, the Good Shepherd, alongside you. Dispelling shadows is simple; walk in the light, always and only. Jesus promised, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 NAS.
“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant.” Luke 11:36 NLT. Then you can be God’s light into the dark corners of others’ lives. “You are like light for the whole world . . In the same way, your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14/16 TEV. See Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT.
Today, I pray for you to always will feel His presence with you, brightening your way.
Christian Communications 11118
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