Back in the day when my children were small, an urgent voice would often wake me out of a dead sleep at night:
“Mom!”
I’d jolt up, wondering what emergency brought my five year old daughter into the room to wake up her poor, exhausted mother. Was she sick? Was the house on fire?
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
Instead of saying, “You woke me up for this?” I’d zip my lip. Then I’d crowbar myself out of bed to stagger down the hall and turn on the bathroom light. I knew Camilla wanted the security of my presence. She also wanted me to turn on that light because she was scared of the dark.
I don’t like the darkness either.
We had a gloomy rain week recently. The sun didn’t come out even once, and by the third day, I was longing for light. Even without rain, dark days come. Days when depression overwhelms, insecurity knocks, or doubt trips us up.
But Jesus gives us a promise of hope for dark days:
Our Savior brings the blessings of light:
Light dispels darkness: John explained it like this: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) In the physical world, light always triumphs. Flip on a light switch at night, and darkness disappears.
Light brings joy: Don’t you feel a small surge of delight when you light a candle or see pretty Christmas lights?
Light illumines our path: No one drives a car on a dark night without turning headlights on. We need light to show us our way.
We have the promise of light as long as we stick to our Savior.
Tight finances, sick kids, and job stress can bring on the clouds and make us feel like we’re in the dark. The holidays can be hard for those who experienced loss this year. Yet we have a sure promise from our Savior: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Let’s stay close to the Light with these simple steps:
1. Call on Jesus
Nothing delights Him more than hearing our simplest prayer: “Jesus, come and be my light.”
2. Trust in Him
Sometimes the darkness seems overwhelming, yet Jesus always shines enough light on our path to show us the next step. If you’re discouraged, your next step might be to get out of bed, or to step out into the sunshine, or to reach for your bible to see what God will speak to your heart. Trust Jesus and take that step.
3. Rest in Him
What about the times when darkness and discouragement don’t seem to lift? As we keep resting in Jesus, He’ll keep our lamp burning, and sooner or later He’ll turn our darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28)
4. Stay close to Him
As we go about our day, let’s remember that Jesus is close by. Let’s lift up quick prayers to Him as we work. When problems come up, we can ask Him for help, and when we see small blessings, we can give Him thanks.
Even on dark days, Jesus renews our hope when we stick close to Him. The Light of the World dispels our darkness, brings joy, and illumines our path.
Now it’s your turn: What does the “Light of the World” mean to you?
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Note: This post was re-edited from my archives.
Beautiful post, Betsy! I love that image of Jesus being the light in the darkness, showing us the way and helping us feel safe. And it’s so reassuring that even in deep darkness the light is stronger and even a small, flickering light can break through.
Thanks so much, Lesley. I love that image myself. Have a candle going next to me right now.
Beautiful post. Beautiful timing, my friend. Keeping our eyes on Jesus during those cloudy seasons can be such a battle, but that IS the battle, isn’t it? Whatever it takes to destroy our faith. But sticking close to Him….that’s where I want to be today. 😉
I’m preaching to myself today, friend. Trying to stay close to the Light and keep my eyes on Him. Blessings on your week!
Amen! Your four steps are helpful and encouraging, especially when I remember I can pray simply from my heart, “Jesus, come and be my light.”
I love that prayer, also the Psalm 18 verse in the ESV: “You, Lord, light my lamp.” So good and true.
I DO need more light, Betsy. Something about the lights of Christmas just cheers me up — the new people across the street have gone all-out with their exterior lights and I love the way it makes our street feel so festive at night.
I appreciated your point about the joy God feels when we simply ask Him to come and be our Light.
Yes, I need more light myself, Jeannie. I kept reminding myself to stick close to Him and ask for His light today.
Betsy,
Light is warmth, comfort, illumination, direction in the dark….all the things that draw us to it. Jesus is like that. Everything about Him draws me near. The light is a constant reminder of His presence.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Oh yes, Bev. Your comment is awakening a revival in me this morning, friend. Thank you.
Winters tend to be very dark and long here in this neck of the woods. I understand why depression could so easily come to call and then decide to stay. Thanks, Betsy, for the reminder to call on the Lord, to trust in Him during the seasons of calendar or life that seem dismal.
He meets us there with light untold …
May He meet you in your neck of the woods this season, Linda. Brighter days will be here before we know it. For now, we have His light for each day.
Candles are my favorite. When I write, I often light a candle and pray for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Whether we are writing or doing a thousand other things, we need the light of Christ in our lives. Loved your post today!
Me too! I have a lit candle next to me now, friend. 🙂 xoxoxo
Just thinking about the light of our Savior brought me great peace and joy this morning. Thank you Betsy for always providing timely inspiration!
It’s been doing the same for me this week, friend. I know we both have a lot going on!
There is a song (Here I am) lyrics that I quite like and sing “Light of the world , you step down into darkness, open my eyes let me see ”
The Lord Jesus who is the light of the world came to the this world of darkness to show us the light . He lights and orders our steps so that we will not falter and fall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post .
I remember that song too, Diana. Such a good one, isn’t it?
Beautiful scripture.
I’m glad if it encouraged you, Juanita.
I am so thankful for Jesus’ promise of Light on dark days! Thank you for this uplifting post, dear sister. It has certainly brightened up my dreary day!
I’m thankful for it too, Lauren. I’m really needing all the light I can get these days.
Love these simple ideas, Betsy! Sharing your post…blessings to you!
Thank you, Sarah. Blessings back atcha!
This is such an encouraging post, friend. His Light always shines, even when we can’t see it, doesn’t it? I needed this reminder today. Thanks you. xoxo
Praying for you now, Abby. I’ve been remembering you this season. (And I need to remind myself of LIGHT myself. I need it. 🙂 )
I love your story! Isn’t that just what we do. We call on Jesus when darkness covers our lives and just want Him to be with us! I guess that’s why He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us! We don’t have to run anywhere to find Him, only whisper His name! Thanks for your post!
Yes, Karen! All we have to do is whisper His name. Beautiful. I’m doing it now.
Call, trust, rest, abide! Such wise advice! Yet always so hard to practice this time of year! Love you!
It is hard, isn’t it!? I’m having a lesson in it because a planned shopping trip to the mall got cancelled since my Chef Girl is under the weather. I’m glad to stay home after 4 breakneck speed busy days. 🙂 I’ll get that shopping done another day.
This is an especially dark season here in the extreme Northeast US, so I’m always grateful for Christmas lights and the warm glow of my window candles when I take the dog out at 4:00 and it’s already DARK.
After 55 years of this, you’d think I’d be used to it, but for some reason, every year it takes me by surprise, but then so does the beauty of God’s gift, the Light of the world.
Blessings to you, Betsy!
Wow, dark at 4:00, that’s early! It’s been dark here too, Michele, but due to lots of rain. I love imagining you seeing those window candles as you come back to your house. Beautiful. I’m so enjoying Christmas light in my home. And candles.
Thanks for the assurance that Jesus brightens my life when I stay close to him.
May He keep your light burning, friend.
I need your prayer support. I’m 57 and having to start over. My faith is intact and even growing, but i have major decisions to make including where to live and what to do. i need direct revelation from the Throne of God. i have faith, health, and money but nothing else. Thanks.
Annette, I’m praying for you now. You are not alone. You have a Shepherd who watches over you, cares for you, and will lead your every step.