Lights On

Lately, I've been feeling melancholic thinking about how my sons are growing up so fast...sigh...there are a few things, however, that remind me that they are still, precious little boys.  For example, we have to leave a light on in the hallway every night so they can feel safe.  I've been trying to turn it off quietly after I've thought they were sleeping...only to get immediate complaints from their rooms, begging me to keep it on.

I immediately do, because I don't want them to be scared in their own home.  Darkness is too frightening...I know...we even leave a light on for the dog!

The thing is, darkness is everywhere.  If it weren't for the sun, we would always be immersed in it permanently (we would also be dead, of course, but just go with it).  That got me thinking...it is the same way in our spiritual life, and in our society as a whole:  without the Son, we would be permanently immersed in a pit of darkness. 

He is the Light of the World, and in Him there is no darkness, but the world loves darkness, therefore, it rejects Him.  (1 John 1: 5, John 3: 19-21)  Christians, however, have Christ in them, therefore, His Light resides in us.  This truth means we are charged with bringing it forth into the world through us...and nowhere does light shine brightest than in the deepest darkness.

Yes, we live in times that seem utterly, defiantly and relentlessly devoid of light.  But that is precisely what makes our role key in times like these:  we carry the Light, and like the song exhorts us, we must let it shine!

Regardless of how difficult it is to be witnesses of the Light in today's world, we ought to live in the Light so at least our life becomes our witness.  I don't know what else we could do? I pray we have the strength to carry on in a way that doesn't bend to the patterns of this world...walk differently as we stay on the narrow road and hang on to His Hand.  It is difficult and it will become more so as the years go by, but we cannot quit and join the current.  Our path is upstream and it is marked by the Blood of the Lamb and guided by the Light of His Word.

I'm not sure when or if my sons will ever be comfortable enough to sleep with all the lights off; but I know I won't try to put them out for as long as they still sleep in our house.