Light of the World

I recently visited family, and we went to a planetarium where we saw some of the most beautiful stars in the sky. We were up high above the city with great views of the skyline and the city below. It took me back to every moment in life that I have been captivated by the endless lights in the sky, the vastness, the beauty, the glory of it all. The darkness of the night sky lit up so intensely that it actually seemed light outside! So captivating and enveloping. The heavens really do declare the glory of the Lord (Psalm 19:1).

In this advent season, now 5 days from Christmas, I ponder the connectivity of the beauty of the lights in the sky and the Light of the World, Christ himself.

"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.'" John 8:12 (ESV)

It's easy living in the world today to feel surrounded by darkness. Challenging times for us personally, for our families, communities, and nation can surround our hearts and minds in a deep darkness! Before we know it, we are stumbling around in the darkness, not realizing that we have started walking away from our light, Jesus! He came with the light that brings us hope in every situation! A key phrase in this passage is "…whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life" (John 8:12, ESV [emphasis mine]). We need to walk in this truth.

Several passages in Scripture talk to us about Christ as the Light of the world and the darkness that only He overcomes. Like the stars in the sky that overwhelm the darkest of night, remember Christ is the only light that has come to overwhelm and overcome all darkness in every corner of our life. He is our light, brighter, and more radiant than any star in the sky at any distance.

Erin is a passionate and effective worship leader and Bible study teacher. Next to studying God's Word and leading others in worship, she encourages women to discover and grow in their relationship with Jesus. She and her husband, Evan, have three sons and currently live in Florida.