Do you ever take time to appreciate light? Artists love light. If we didn’t have light we wouldn’t be able to paint what is there. Light illuminates and separates from darkness and then we can see.

One of my favorite parts of the movie Pride and Prejudice is toward the end when Elizabeth walks in the very early dawn when the faint morning light begins to illuminate softly the landscape before her and what was indistinct becomes visible. I also love the soft rosy-golden light of twilight that imbues the world with quiet and peace.

Light helps us see.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

So have you ever long for understanding? Do you ever wonder what you are not seeing? As surely as we need light to safely walk and not stumble on a path we need God’s word to light our way so we don’t stumble in life. Do you think of God’s truth as light?

When any of us are troubled we understand darkness. It envelops us and we can’t seem to find our way; depression is a lot like that. The colors seem to seep out and everything feels lifeless and dark and we feel trapped and confined. When we come out of the depression colors seem fresher, there is hope and we can smile and laugh again and we aren’t bound in that awful darkness but freed.

“Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of the light.” John 12:35-36 Jesus is the light of the world and when we walk with Him the light of His truth illuminates what was once in darkness. Not in a sudden flash…but slowly and gently as we can grasp His truth He reveals His love for all of us. Just like Elizabeth walking slowly as the light illuminated her surroundings God illuminates His love for us that surrounds us.

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:44-46

When we turn to God in prayer and conversation a world of understanding is lit. Darkness begins to be transformed into understanding and that understanding that takes time begins to feel fresh and new and inviting. A walk begins and we don’t have to stumble. He lights the way.