Enough Light

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

Isaiah 9:2 NLT

I'm sure you know the number one excuse for not reading the Word of God is that it's hard to understand. I have to admit, I used to use the same excuse. Today's promise contains the words of Isaiah, prophesying of Jesus being born into the world. The Messiah, the Light of the World. The book of Isaiah can be very difficult to read. It's not easily understood and for those of us with focus challenges, it can be really tough. I probably would never have known our text for today was a prophecy regarding the life of Christ had someone not shed some light on it.

Have you ever noticed that the more we need to see detail or the more we require a better view, the more light we need? Operating rooms, doctors and dentists and almost the entire medical field require intense light to perform. Our Father, the Great Physician, has given us the Light of the world for all to see. You might be thinking, That's a little over the top. I don't have anything that urgent... No?  Have you ever said... Turn on the light, I can't see...Come here under the light, so I can see what I'm doing...I need more light than what I have here...?

In truth, the vast majority of us never think about light, in and of itself, but rather as a tool, an aid for seeing. However, light is vital to our lives in more ways than we ever think about - for sustaining the life cycle itself, if you think about the whole ecological realm. Here's something on a smaller scale that I was thinking about, but I hope it may make as big an impact.

How many times in our lives have we gotten up in the middle of the night and stubbed our toe because we didn't turn on the light? In familiar territory, where we know the lay of the land. Of course, something might have been out of place - that happens at times - but more often than not, we smack it on something that's been in the same place for a long time. (Can I get an Amen or perhaps a commiserative Ouch!) If we'd turned on the light, or had a nightlight, or used a flashlight, our chance of walking into something because we didn't see it would be virtually non-existent.

There are so many obstacles in our path as we wend our way through life. If it's silly (and hazardous) for us to walk around in the dark in our own homes, why then, do we try to walk through life without any Light? How many obstacles trip us up and cause us to fall because we didn't see them? Psalm 119:105 NLT, a very familiar text, reads, Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Wouldn't we like to see where we're going? And if we know where we're going, wouldn't it be best to be sure the way is lighted? We could avoid a lot of pitfalls and problems with the proper Light.

John 1:1-5a NKJV, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness...

Spend time in His Word, the Light of the world - a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. The Light to see where we're going AND to make sure we get there.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for providing everything and the Only thing we'll ever need to see our way clear to You. Give us understanding. Open our spiritual eyes so that we may see. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen