For centuries throughout Old Testament times, the people waited on the promise that a Messiah would come. During that period of waiting, the Israelites experienced a lot of darkness before the Light of the World arrived. Like them, we all go through difficult seasons, but when we cling to the hope we have in Christ, He brings light to the darkest corners of our lives.

When we invite Jesus into our lives, the transformation that happens within us should be reflected to the world outside us as we become instruments of His workmanship. Everywhere we go, there should be a noticeable difference between the light that’s in us and a world that lives in darkness — and we’re not meant to keep that light to ourselves.

We’re Christ’s representatives on earth — which means we’re the candles that He left behind in this spiritually dark world in order to light the way to Him. Instead of hiding our light because we’re ashamed or fearful of what people will think, we need to go out into the darkness and “contaminate” others (in a good way!) with the light that leads them to the Lord.

Darkness is the product of an absence of light — and it’s what we experience when we try to live in isolation as Christians. Two of the best questions we can ask to ensure we’re walking in God’s light are: 1) Have I asked Him to cleanse me of my sins? and 2) Am I in regular fellowship with other believers?

The Bible says that we’re called to be salt and light to a tasteless and dark world. But how often do we choose to blend in with the culture around us instead? It’s tempting to rely on God’s grace and mercy as our “get-out-of-jail-free” card so that we can flirt with temptation, but over time, we begin to hide the light He’s placed in us instead of allowing it to brighten the environment around us.

If you’ve ever lost power during a bad storm, you know the feeling of relief that comes when you’re connected back to the grid and the lights come back on. And if you try to drive a car at night without your headlights on, or walk through a pitch-black room without a flashlight, it’s not only next to impossible — it’s also incredibly dangerous. We depend on light to see where we’re going, and where to take our next step. The Bible says Jesus is Light — and in Him, there is no darkness. What’s the source of light in your life?

In the beginning, God created light. However, before the beginning, God WAS Light. And He sent the Son, the Light of Life (Jesus), to provide a way back into fellowship with Him. And when Light shows up, darkness can’t overcome it. May we be guided by the Savior as the Lamp to our feet and the Light for our path!

Jesus declared in Scripture that He came to be the Light of the World (John 8:12). But He also declared that because we’re His followers, WE’RE the light of the world, too (Matthew 5:14)! When we surrender ourselves to the Lord, He shines a light within us that radiates outward — and people who live in darkness will be drawn to that light that’s inside us because of Jesus.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we go from stumbling around in the darkness to living in the light. Like a baby sees the light of day for the first time when they open their eyes at birth, God reveals His light to us by opening our eyes when we’re born again spiritually. And when His Spirit draws us out of the darkness, we then become His light in the world.

Even Christians who have seen the Light sometimes still choose to live in the dark. When we hide with our sin, we become prisoners of war. But God calls us to expose our sinful ways and walk in truth, embracing the abundant life He offers to us!

Jesus told us that He’s put His light in each of us so that we can go light the darkness around us. And the best way to do that is by proclaiming the knowledge of God’s glory! Through His love that shines in our hearts, God can use us to help change the world.