A Great Light

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NKJ)

I am a person who loves the light. I do not like a room to be dim or darkened, except when suffering with a migraine. I love light. I want to be able to clearly see my surroundings. Even at night, I like the moon to shine through my windows.

Yet, I also like to conserve electricity. So, the last thing at night I go through the house making certain every light is off. I realize this is a contradiction of sorts, but I can usually justify my reasons for extinguishing the lights. As they are all turned off, an eerie silence settles upon the house while I sneak down the hall to bed.

There is an emptiness that comes with the dark silence. It produces the effect of loneliness and if focused on will ultimately cause depression among other ills. As I sit on the side of the bed, however, I review the day's activities and the people I have met. As I doze off, I think about tomorrow's schedule.

Occasionally, after turning out the lights, I stand for a few minutes and look out my bedroom window at the glory of the moonlight. It's a signal that God has not forgotten about me in my darkness. It's an assurance that the God of the day is still God in the night.

Christmas of 2012 is past. The first week of 2013 is now history. But the light still shines. The light cannot be extinguished -- not as long as there are people sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. The light of God still shines along the path to his house. His light is a great light -- so great that it cannot be contained in a single day or thought or religious festival. It illuminates the darkest gloom, because it is the light of hope.

Dear Father, thank you for the hope your light gives. Your Son is the Lord and Light of my life. Empower me to shine for him throughout this year. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Let your light shine today,