Recharge Our Batteries

My current quiet time finds me in the book of John. I would like to concentrate on the following verses from John, chapter 1 (NIV):


:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.


Have you ever experienced a room that was pitch black, and you couldn’t even see your finger if you placed it directly in front of your eyes? I remember doing this as a kid and coming away with the thought, “How could you not see your own finger if you put it one centimeter away from your eyeball?” I didn’t realize how pitch black darkness can be! It becomes so frightening that even the slightest bit of unrecognized sound emits pictures in our minds worthy of the SciFi channel! Darkness, in a Biblical sense, represents ignorance and sin. It is an active rejection of God’s will. It is a picture of unregenerate humanity under the influence of the world forces of this domain of darkness. There are people who not only do not accept the light. They often resist it in their lives. Those that are in darkness reject Christ, His light, and His followers.

How much darkness do you see around you? Is there evidence of it on our planet? How has darkness reared its ugly head in your community? Has it appeared like a vapor seeping under the door of your church? Have you noticed it creeping up your leg, gripping you, getting a foothold? Darkness is everywhere, but it cannot extinguish the light! No matter how black or how menacing the darkness, even a small light can drive it back. You light a small candle in a darkened room and there is instantly less darkness. Darkness cannot prevail where light is present.

The power of Christ's light overcomes any darkness in the world. Believers no longer walk blindly in sin, rather his light shows sin and the need of forgiveness, gives guidance, and leads into eternal life with him. John notes one of the greatest tragedies: the world —humankind— did not recognize its own Creator. They were blinded and could not see his light. 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).


How can you not recognize the light? It seems so obvious, especially in our time. The Jews didn't recognize the light. The world is not recognizing its creator. How many people today follow false gods or no God? How do people become blind and unable to see the light? Were they born blind (inherited in some way) or did blindness strike them at a later date? Even though it only takes a little bit of light to offset the darkness, if people are blind and cannot see the light, how can we help them see again? In a dark room even a little bit of light would penetrate the darkness, even a sliver of light would get the one in darkness to acknowledge its presence. I believe this would cause a person to be more curious about seeking more light.

May the Lord help us realize how just a little light could convince someone in the darkness, to consider the existence of more light. What can we do that puts off just a little light? This isn’t rocket science and I don’t believe it would take anything spectacular on our part. A kind word or a kind deed might be the only light someone would need to see. The light can penetrate any darkness. This is a refreshing and comforting fact. "Lord, help us to share this good news with those in darkness." We rejoice and are thankful that nothing can extinguish this light; nothing can put it out. "Thanks, Lord. Lord help me to increase my prayers that people of this world, people I come into contact with would not be blinded by the darkness and unable to see the light. Help that light to shine beyond a doubt to those who are having trouble seeing it."

How will we be lights in the darkness this June? Pray that God will motivate us to turn the switch on. Get rid of dead batteries.