Searching for the Light that Illuminates all of Life
Debby Boone has the distinction of recording one of the most popular — and most disparaged — love ballads of all time. “You Light Up My Life” spent 10 weeks atop Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 songs in 1977, but it wasn’t long before the song became
widely parodied as people mocked the sappy tune.
Despite the derision, the message rings true. Each of us needs light in our life as we navigate through the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual darkness. Sometimes the light is so bright it illuminates the entire night sky, like the spotlights that call attention to the opening of a new store or the debut of a major event in a particular city. Other times, the light is barely visible, like a match in the wilderness where you have to squint to see it. Nonetheless, even a flicker of light is better than none at all.
In Scripture, there are numerous passages about the light, the most familiar of which come from the Gospels. Luke 8:16 quotes Jesus as saying that “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Clearly, if we are to serve as a source of light, there is no reason to hide or even minimize its glow.
Then, the Gospel of John (8:12) quotes Jesus in this famous passage as saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Later in the Gospel of John (12:36), Jesus states, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” This passage serves as both a challenge and an opportunity. Once we receive the light, we have a responsibility to live in that light to the point that we become sons (and daughters) of the light. This enables us to reflect His light and illuminate the pathway of righteousness for others.
In that same chapter of John, just 10 verses later, Jesus says, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” This provides hope and encouragement for all of us. Simply by believing in him, we are able to escape the darkness. The deeper our relationship with him, the brighter the light that
we cast.
And finally, from I John 1:7, we receive advice for our daily journey: “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” — an encouraging and uplifting message for all of us.
He is indeed the light of life and the light of the entire world — the only light we will ever need — and we are called on to walk in that light and to reflect that light so that others may see, believe, and follow Him.
Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John