LIT UP

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com.
In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Have you ever walked in darkness in your life?

I know I have and have dealt with countless others during my many years in ministry. Here’s a couple of current examples:

- Someone fighting cancer that doesn’t seem to want to go away. Treatment after treatment after treatment has been endured and still it seems there is no improvement. Death seems closer than life at this point, dark times indeed.

- Another person was a domestic violence victim and fled, trying to just be safe and create a better life for themselves and their child. Day after day, they struggle to make it while dealing with all the legalities that come with trying to get support and severed from a bad relationship. Sometimes the person feels like they should just give up. Such is the impact of being in the darkness of life for awhile.

- And then there is someone who has been fighting depression for years. No matter how much they want to feel positive, they can’t seem to see beyond the gloomy cloud that always seems to hover over them and the people around them don’t understand her or the condition that keeps her in darkness.

Three people with different life issues but one common thread: they all find themselves trying to make it through life’s darkest places.

Jesus seemed to know that this would be a part of the human experience, that people would find themselves in life situations that would walk them through dark valleys far from the joy found on the mountain tops. As we see in a single verse from John, Chapter 8, there is hope for anyone in the midst of despair and anguish, gloom and torment. Look at His words again here:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Jesus, the One who would also proclaim Himself as the Way and Truth and Life (John 14:6), here lets all God’s people know that He is the reliable light source that anyone can turn to, no matter what life brings their way. He (Jesus) is the light of the world and anyone who chooses to follow Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.

Friends, Jesus, the One who is the Truth, said this. There is no need to live in the dark because Jesus brings us the light of life and the darkness cannot (and will not) ever overcome it. Ever.

With this, don’t let the enemy try and obscure your sight and block the light of life. You see, Satan would have us so concerned about other things that we get distracted and take our gaze away from the Jesus, the Light of the world. Keep your heart’s affection and full life’s attention on Jesus and you will never be in darkness for He will ensure you remain in the light, a light that will never ever go out, a light that will come to live within you as well.

That’s right, when you follow Jesus, the Light of the world, His Light becomes a part of you and He allows you to shine it on others. He told us so Himself. Look at these words from His Sermon on the Mount:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

When we receive the Light of Jesus into our lives, we become the light of the world ourselves, lit up vessels who reflect the very Light of Christ onto others. As we see in these verses, we are commanded to let this light shine before others. Jesus doesn’t make it optional and why would we want it to be. As Christians, we should want to everyone about Jesus and as we do, others will see His Light shining from us. They will be drawn out of darkness to the Light and lit up themselves when they too decide to follow Jesus.

In other words, the Light of Jesus spreads from believer to believer, driving out the darkness one person at a time along the way.

Question: Have you been lit up by Jesus in your life?

If not, then you are walking in a darkness that can easily be taken away. All you have to do is choose to follow Jesus right now and receive His light and love that can never be taken away.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com