Pastoral Connection: Spiritual GPS – I Can See Clearly Now

 Reread John 8:12 – 20

“The light doesn’t make the darkness any less dark, but it drives the darkness away.”

Just as we need light to help us find our way around in the dark, following Jesus as “the light of the world” helps us receive guidance to the truth that ultimately leads to our salvation. Following Him as our light gives us revelation and pushes the evil of spiritual darkness away. At the very least, Christ’s illumination in our life helps us recognize many forms of obstacles and then assists us in passing under, over, or around them.

When we choose to put our faith in anything or in anybody these days there naturally comes a fear that we will be let down, particularly at a moment when we are weakest or most vulnerable. But we are to remember that Jesus proclaims to be our light. Although there is still darkness in our world, remember that the darker the room, the brighter the light shines.

Dive Deeper

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

John 3:19 – 21 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Matthew 5:14-16 “^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (The Message)

Practical Application

Be honest with yourself. Admit to yourself and to the Lord what sin (darkness) you are holding on for yourself? What are you trying to keep away from Jesus, hoping no one in your life and certainly not your church will find out about? Take it out and display it in the Lord’s light so you can be done with it!

Jesus calls each one of His followers to be “the light of the world” in Matthew 5:14. Therefore, if you’re finding trouble bringing your darkness into the light, go to a brother or sister in Christ and ask for assistance. If a brother or sister comes to you asking for you to be that light for them, help them because, if for no other reason, they are the Lord’s child, and He wants you to do so.

Think of someone that you can share the light or bring out the “God-colors” of the world to this week.  Let your light shine so that you can help them out of the darkness.