Light Changes Everything
Light. Light changes everything.
Yesterday, my granddaughter was in the garage playing with her uncle’s dog. Next thing I know she is standing in front of me shaking from head to toe crying profusely. Apparently, a breaker had blown, and the lights went out. She was in the pitch-black darkness, terrified. She then could make out a sliver of light around the laundry room door and found her way out. That tiny speck of light made all the difference. It led her out of the darkness.
Likewise, in our lives we find ourselves in periods of unexpected darkness. Depression from an impending divorce. A diagnosis that took us by surprise. The death of a loved one or layoffs at work. These are times of sudden, unexpected darkness.
There are also those times when we are just living in “adjusted darkness.” You know, like when you walk into a darkened room and your eyes slowly adjust so that you can see? Many, many, are living here. Adjusted to the darkness. Living life with no true joy. Going in and out of each day with maddening mundane monotony.
I know for myself this was true. I had lived a life of addiction, depression, pain, fear, and all the rest. Daily in the dark. Until one glorious day…LIGHT appeared!! And when you see it, right where you are living, hurting, working, it changes everything. And that point is where I want to stay for a moment -
The Light that comes right where you are.
In the account of Jesus’ birth, we read in Luke chapter 2 that there were shepherds out in the field tending to their flocks. These were ordinary men who were working, living, doing life like you and me. They had probably walked far that day and then, as always, the sun had finally set. The sky grew dark, and night had come. They had settled into the surrounding, expected, darkness. Then suddenly, everything changed. Light appeared. An angel stood right in the middle of their camp. With the sudden, unexpected Light came the reality of a spiritual realm. This Light piercing the darkness of their earth, and their hearts, gave way to a Truth, THE Truth. That truth is that a realm in heaven must exist and that at any given moment, it can become very apparent. And if there was any shadow of a doubt within their hearts with the appearance and message of one angel, a host, an army, of angels are then made known, and heaven and earth had become one.
The Light appearing to the shepherds did more than change their evening, it changed their lives. It dispelled the darkness, changed their plans, redirected their path, put praise upon their lips, and forever altered their hearts. The Light in the darkness of that field, led them directly to Jesus. The Light led them to Life. And today, it is the same.
Whether you are you experiencing an unexpected darkness, or living in the adjusted darkness of your life, Jesus wants you to know that He is with you. There is a realm that is greater than just what you are experiencing, and it can shine bright in your darkness. It can lead you out.
There are times when Light comes bursting through our darkness when we don’t expect it, like with the shepherds, and then there are times when we have to cry out to see it. Whether or not you are aware of it, He is already there with you. That realm you can’t see exists right where you are. Personally, for me, I couldn’t see it. At the end of June 1994 while I was consumed in the darkest dark I had ever known, I cried out. “God, if you are real, please show me.” That was it. Days later I was arrested with the same amazement as those in Luke 2, I was captured by that Light. And like them, my plans changed, my direction was altered, and my heart was reborn.
Christmas is when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Light and Life. If you have come into the reality of His Light and Love, stop and take some time to thank Him and worship and adore Him. Perhaps there is some darkness that has invaded your life and heart. It is time to stop adjusting to it, and with His Light, cause it to flee.
But if instead you are still searching for Him this Christmas, searching for a way out of your darkness and pain, I pray that the reality of His Light and Love will fill your heart and forever alter your course.
With humbled amazement, Merry Christmas.
Pastor Annette
Luke 2:8-14 AMP
And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].