When we leave the womb, we begin to face the possibility of
isolation, being alone, abandoned. And, not being created for aloneness,
it troubles us. There have been a number
of times in my life, (and it still happens occasionally), that the aloneness of
that small and vulnerable newborn child, just out of the mother’s womb, rises
up in my soul and proclaims the profoundness of the deep darkness that surrounds
and would swallow me up!
How does it happen, that darkness? It generally comes (at least in my life) when
I am isolated, and the memories of other aloneness or rejection haunts my
thoughts. I haven’t been hunted by a
deranged king whose army has been given orders to capture or kill me like King
Saul after David, the shepherd boy[1]. However, I have had people angry at me, and a
few who would have rejoiced if I’d never been born. But even simple conflict (what we would call “drama”
these days), is enough to bring the darkness close and threatening. It is at times like that I need the comfort
of leaving the darkness behind and rejoining the light of God’s goodness. When it comes to chasing the darkness away, there’s
no better choice than the One who is the Author of light – Jesus!
If you recall last Friday’s three important questions in life…Where
did I come from, What is my purpose here, and Where am I going…here are all
three in a nutshell. In the days leading
up to Jesus’ crucifixion He taught his disciples the profound truth about where
He came from, what His mission (purpose) was, and where He was going, and would
take those who believe with Him. He was
(and IS) the light, and will lead us out of darkness every time!
Jesus
cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him
who sent me. And the one who sees me sees him who sent
me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone
who believes in me would not remain in darkness. John 12:44-46 (CSB)
Did you catch that last phrase about believing in Him and NOT
remaining in darkness? Did it roll
around your mind like a healing ointment of calm joy? That’s what truly worshipping God brings. Jesus responds to those who worship His
Father, the one true, living God, by throwing a floodlight over the gloom of
darkness. And a light soul cannot be
engulfed by darkness.
As the people of God offer genuine, heart-felt worship,
darkness is dispelled, chased from our lives. That is why whenever you
don’t feel like coming to church on a given Sunday…and you go anyway…when you
leave church that day there is a general sense of lightness; you feel better
for having attended – glad you went! Darkness had to leave when you
emptied yourself in the presence of the ONE Who IS light!
For You Today
If there are circumstances on your horizon that threaten
dark days, don’t forget where the light is found; He wants to light up your
world!
[1] Title and Other Images: Pixabay.com Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The Christian Standard Bible©
[1]Read
the entire fascinating story in 1
Samuel – Chapters 18-26
