A wonderful sermon was preached in our church a while ago, about darkness. In the middle of it I had one of those sudden thunderbolts of understanding which should have been obvious.

We were not created to dwell in darkness.

I can attest to that fact, having once been deep in the bowels of a mountain filled with human skulls, in Papua New Guinea. We’d been led there by a man with one flashlight (or torch as he called it). When he said he was going to leave us there and go back for the others who were following, my first thought was, “I wonder what else is in this deep dark place?”

The human skulls were evidence of the cannibalism that was common practice in days past. When the light vanished and we were left in utter darkness it felt as though those acts of atrocity cried out around us. I took many deep breaths to try and calm myself. Only when the light returned was I able to breathe normally again. I was extremely happy to see the light beaming in from the exit we had to climb up to. We were all jovial as we scrambled out and down the other side of the mountain to a beautiful beach gleaming with sunlight.

There are many scriptures which refer to the contrast between living in darkness and living in the light of Christ. One of the most puzzling to me is this one – “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19

It seems incomprehensible that we would love darkness, that place where evil dwells, where we stumble around blind. Yet we do. I did, for many years, until I finally cried out to God and yielded my life to Jesus. The world was suddenly filled with light and life, and I began to comprehend what the word joy means.

Another scripture says: “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46 That’s our Saviour! I’ve seen His light dawn in the faces of those who submit to Him. It’s a beautiful thing to behold.

One more: “For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.” 2 Samuel 22:29

Oh, and these:

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

The good news is that His light is available to anyone who will yield to Him.

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Visit Marcia’s Substack pages – https.substack.com/marcialeelaycock