Turn to the Light

I often joke to my family that I am solar powered. When the daylight hours begin to wan in the fall I have experienced feeling dread; knowing that the deep cold and darkness of winter is coming. The holidays help to keep my spirits up, but in January and February my mild case of seasonal affective disorder gets stronger.

I have plants that usually live on my deck in the Spring and Summer, but in the winter months I bring them inside. I only have one really good window in my house for catching the most light during this time, so the plants are pressed for a place to survive. (My family would say that with my black thumb it’s a wonder they still live.) I’ve noticed that, as weeks go by, the side closest to the window thrives while the other struggles. I have to remind myself to turn the plants occasionally so that all sides have an opportunity for growth.

This process with the plants inspired me to remember that I must do the same thing. When I feel the darkness around me, and I’m struggling to lift my head, I need to turn to the light. To plants, light is vital to sustain its life, and with seasonal depression I can relate. Therefore, we must find ways to inject light into our days.

“In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:4-5 CSB

The human condition is a constant battle between choosing light or darkness. In January we recognize the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. One of his notable quotes is “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only the light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Being a pastor himself, he no doubt knew Jesus as the light of the world, and that we will be identified as being in Him by the love we show. When our world view is turned away from the light, like the plant at the window whose side faces in and out, we start to fade into that perspective. We go around downcast and withdrawn as we struggle in our lack of growth. If our days are spent feeding into that darkness we cannot find the power to overcome it. We need to remember to turn to the light; to turn to Jesus.

“Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12 CSB

When it said, “Jesus spoke to them again,” this is right after he had prevented the stoning of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Talk about a moment of darkness for her! Shamed and about to be killed for her sin, I can’t imagine the fear she must have had. Yet, in a moment, her accusers were gone and Jesus was extending forgiveness. Hope shines like a ray of light in that instance in such a way that is life changing. I have had a profound encounter myself that cannot be fully conveyed in a blog post, but I share in my speaking. It was a time of deep, consuming darkness broken by a flash of light from God. The experience would be similar to a blind person receiving their sight for the first time. Life springs up anew, and the darkness cannot overtake it when the truth is revealed.

While my mental state looks forward to the longer daylight hours of the Spring and Summer, my spirit craves long durations of being in the light of Jesus. Worship with my church family, being in the word of God (the Bible), singing along to praise music, and coming into the throne room in prayer are all ways to turn my face to the light. If you find yourself walking in darkness then I hope you will give them a try.