Darkness is all around us, isn't it? Think of the last time you were in the dark. It isn't fun, is it? The other night I needed to get up out of bed to get a drink. I didn't want to wake my wife, so I didn't turn on the lights. I had forgotten our clothes chest was at the end of the bed, and I walked into it. Can you picture the scene?
It was dark, the middle of the night, and the clothes chest was right in my path. Yup, I bumped into the chest, caught my shin on the corner of the bed, and bounced off the dresser against the wall. Walking in the dark can be dangerous to your health. We can end up walking in many dark and dangerous places. But this isn't the only darkness we need to worry about. What about the deep, dark secrets of our own?
In our world, think of the greed, idolatry, cheating, stealing, wars, and threats of terrorism that still remain. What about our own personal sins of lust, resentment, or the lack of love given to our neighbors? These are all signs of the dark world in which we live. Have you been walking in this darkness? As you can start to see, darkness can be dangerous not only to your health, but also to your soul.
According to Isaiah, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2). Here is a welcome word of hope and comfort I need to hear, and I bet you probably need to hear it, too. How do I know that? That's simple. Each of us has spent time stumbling around in the dark. In fact, our whole lives have been spent there. As Paul writes, we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Isn't it good to know light is available? Jesus was born into this dark world to overcome the blackest places in our hearts and lives. In this darkness, we can always see Jesus as our light. He's the life and the light of our lives. He has conquered sin, death, and the king of all darkness-the devil. He is truly the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. And that's a light no darkness can overcome.
THE PRAYER: Oh, Lord God, Jesus Christ, You are the light of the world, a light no darkness can diminish. Watch over us and keep us in Your care. Remind us of Your light, scatter the darkness, and illumine Your Church. In Your holy name. Amen.
Written by Pastor Michael Stockmeyer
Grace/St. Peter Lutheran Churches
Nebraska District
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