For God', who spoke that light would shine out of the darkness, has dawned in our hearts that we would be enlightened with the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua - The Messiah. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, on them has the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
“Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29 - 31)
When we encounter Jesus and are born again, our eyes are opened to the Light of His Glory (in the Face of Christ). We are still living in and surrounded by the Darkness of this World though. Our Christian story, i.e. our Christian experience, is the story of our journey out of Darkness into Light (Acts 26:18).
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Imagine yourself sitting in darkness. In the distance you see a small circle of light. As you focus on this light the experience with the Light begins to intensify. You start becoming aware only of the Light – as this intensifies it is as though you start to become one with the Light. The Light appears to be coming closer and closer to you - You start to feel how that light begins to enlighten parts on the inside of you. As the Light enters you, it is as though you are rising up out of Darkness into Light - you begin to feel its warmth and healing power at work within you.
Suddenly, something outside distracts your attention away from the Light. A loud scream from the darkness draws your attention. As you turn your focus away from the Light into the Darkness you feel how the comfort of the Light begins to diminish, how once again the fear of Darkness begins to rise in and around you. It is as though you begin to sink back into the mire of Darkness. It threatens to overwhelm you.
You cry out, your eyes searching out the Light once again. Suddenly you see it – you grasp towards it and begin to shut out the Distraction of Darkness once again - then once again the warmth of the Light comforts. It is as though the hand of Grace has reached out to you, caught hold of you as you started to fall and now supports you as you begin to walk in the Light.
This story belongs to those who train and discipline themselves to focus on the Light. These are those who by their Faith in Christ, arise out of Darkness and have learnt to overcome it. These are those who become one with the Light (John 17:22) – they are still surrounded by the Darkness of the World but have no part in it – even as Christ has none (John 17:16). They let their Light shine before men (Matthew 5:16) and glorify the Father of Lights (James 1:17) in this way - the world is not worthy of them! (Hebrews 11:38)
That is why Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Amen!
