By Melissa McLaughlin
Rain pounded on the roof. The storm winds rattled our windows. A low rumble brought a shiver through the house.
Lightning flashed. Thunder roared, piercing our ears with a blasting boom. Then everything went dark.
I blinked and looked around. The power had gone out in our entire neighborhood, leaving us in total darkness.
In pitch black, I stood and eased my feet in the direction where I thought the table was located. The same table where I had earlier placed flashlights and candles. Blinded by the lightning bolts, my hands groped, attempting to feel any furniture that might obstruct my path.
Gratefully, I reached the table and grabbed a flashlight. I turned it on and squinted my eyes at the bright light beaming like a beacon in the night. My fingers gripped the candle and lighter.
The burning lighter touched the wick, and the candle’s flame cast a soft glow around our kitchen.
Though the storm continued raging, the candlelight flickered in luminous peace.
As I consider the darkness of our world, I am reminded of Christ lighting our way. He blazes through the darkness like an unstoppable searchlight. In addition, Jesus radiates a sacred and serene light untouched by manmade efforts.
Here are three ways Jesus lights our lives:
1. Jesus IS the light.
Light sustains life. Plants, animals, and people need sunlight to survive.
Plants use sunlight for photosynthesis. Animals consume the energy provided by plants and use sunlight for body temperature regulation. Sunlight delivers Vitamin D for humans and boosts mood, along with many other health benefits.
In the same way, people need Christ’s light for spiritual survival. Light and life are intertwined.
Our sin-darkened hearts will lead us astray toward selfish desires that end in death. Only Jesus offers the remedy.
John 8:12 (ESV) – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2. Christ’s light casts out darkness.
Once lit, the flashlight and candlelight banished the darkness in our home during the storm. What a comfort to remember, in both the natural and spiritual realms, light is greater than darkness.
Light casts out darkness. Darkness will never overcome. The smallest match brightens even an ink-black night.
Mercifully, Jesus leads us out of darkness into His marvelous light. As bearers of Christ’s light, the Holy Spirit continues that illuminating work in our souls. Divine luminescence exposes shadowy corners in our hearts, bringing conviction and pointing the way to new life in Jesus.
John 1:5 (ESV) – The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
3. Jesus’s light illuminates everything else.
With one touch of my finger, the flashlight emitted a beam of light, enabling me to ignite the candle’s flame. By that light, I moved about, seeing my way throughout the whole house.
Jesus IS the light. Jesus’s light empowers us to see Him, ourselves, and the world around us through the lens of God’s truth and mercy. When we see Jesus, His light teaches us to recognize deception from truth, impostors from genuine, and counterfeit from real.
God’s Spirit and Word enlighten our eyes to discern spiritual realities we otherwise cannot comprehend.
Psalm 36:9 (NKJV) – In Your light we see light.
Gloriously, as we peer ahead to our heavenly home, we try to imagine the light of heaven.
Pause with me and visualize this—the heavenly city does not need the sun, for light emanates from God’s essence. Darkness and night cease to exist. His light extends and envelopes all who abide with Him there in holy beauty.
No more darkness. No more night.
Instead, we will bask in unending, life-giving Light!
Revelation 21:23-25 (ESV) – And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
Do you feel the world is growing darker? Take heart! The darker the night, the easier for people to see the light.
Christ’s light burns within us, and darkness can never consume it. Let us walk on, dear friends, aglow with His divine radiance!
What Scriptures come to your mind when we consider the light of Christ?
Invitation for my readers:
Join me (and my husband) for a summer Bible study! We will read and discuss The Whole Bible Devotional on Zoom. We will begin reading on Sunday, 6/8/25. Our Zoom meetings will be Tuesdays from 7-8:30pm Eastern Time. Our first Zoom meeting will be 6/10/25. Please email me ([email protected]) if you are interested. We’d love to have you join us!
Thank you, Lord : “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Your light calls to us and guides our way.
Amen. What a gift to walk in His light!
What a blessing you have become, in the night, we see your light. We move forward, blessed beyond words. Thank you, now carry on His work, with joy
Thank you for these beautiful words of encouragement, Judith! God bless you!
Stumbling around in the darkness to find things really teaches us the importance of light. Praise the Lord we are never without the light of Christ. Thanks Melissa
That is so true, Yvonne. We don’t realize how much we need the light until we don’t have it. Thank you, Jesus!
Amen. I’m thankful for the light of Jesus. Have a blessed day! 🙂
By His light, we see light. May He light your heart and your path today, dear friend!
So good! Sometimes the world is so dark. But Jesus lights our path, always.
May His light lift your spirit today and brighten your day! Blessings!
Powerful post, Melissa. I’ve always loved those verses in Revelation 21. To experience light here on earth is so wonderful. But the light of Jesus that overcomes spiritual darkness is the ultimate light of all. And to think about the light of the world, Jesus, and all the splendor of heaven, including the Father of lights (James) makes my heart leap for joy.
Karen, thank you for your insights and beautiful faith! It is truly something to imagine the ultimate light we will encounter in heaven someday. What a glorious, radiant day that will be! God bless you, sweet friend.
I work with people with mental illness. Hearing the sad stories doesn’t bother me because I am blessed to be helping them have some more light in their lives. And with many of them I talk about how Jesus loves them. It’s ok to admit there is darkness. But yes through Hesys we will find the light!
Rachel, thank you for sharing your insights and experiences. You are a blessing to me and so many others. May God continue to shine His light through you!