Finding Light When Life Feels Dark

I spent most of the summer of 1985 in I spent most of the summer of 1985 in Crested Butte, Colorado. I was there Crested Butte, Colorado. I was there Crested Butte, Colorado. I was there working and studying at a retreat center working and studying at a retreat center working and studying at a retreat center called Mountain Ministries. The guy who called Mountain Ministries. The guy who called Mountain Ministries. The guy who was running that ministry at that time was running that ministry at that time was running that ministry at that time was one of the lead climbers for the was one of the lead climbers for the was one of the lead climbers for the Noah's Ark expedition on Mount Ararat Noah's Ark expedition on Mount Ararat Noah's Ark expedition on Mount Ararat and also was a scuba diver in the Red and also was a scuba diver in the Red and also was a scuba diver in the Red Sea looking for the chariots that were Sea looking for the chariots that were Sea looking for the chariots that were engulfed by the Red Sea as Moses led the engulfed by the Red Sea as Moses led the engulfed by the Red Sea as Moses led the Israelites out. He was a true Indiana Israelites out. He was a true Indiana Israelites out. He was a true Indiana Jones kind of character. So, it was a Jones kind of character. So, it was a Jones kind of character. So, it was a fascinating time getting to know him and fascinating time getting to know him and fascinating time getting to know him and being up in Colorado. We would work being up in Colorado. We would work being up in Colorado. We would work manual labor half the day, we'd study manual labor half the day, we'd study manual labor half the day, we'd study the other half of the day, then at night the other half of the day, then at night the other half of the day, then at night we would have dinners. And the people we would have dinners. And the people we would have dinners. And the people that gathered this particular that gathered this particular that gathered this particular organization, you had all kind of folks organization, you had all kind of folks organization, you had all kind of folks there. I had there. I had there. I had a guy there who was atheist, agnostic, a guy there who was atheist, agnostic, a guy there who was atheist, agnostic, another person there that was overcoming another person there that was overcoming another person there that was overcoming a drug addiction, and then you had me. a drug addiction, and then you had me. a drug addiction, and then you had me. So, So, So, we we would, we we would, we we would, you know, talk about what we were you know, talk about what we were you know, talk about what we were reading and we were asked questions. And reading and we were asked questions. And reading and we were asked questions. And some people, obviously, were committed some people, obviously, were committed some people, obviously, were committed Christians, some were not, some were Christians, some were not, some were Christians, some were not, some were somewhere in between.

somewhere in between. somewhere in between. And after we would have dinner together And after we would have dinner together And after we would have dinner together at the main house, at the main house, at the main house, we'd all we'd all we'd all wash dishes and put them away. And then wash dishes and put them away. And then wash dishes and put them away. And then I was living at a log cabin that was on I was living at a log cabin that was on I was living at a log cabin that was on that same property. that same property. that same property. And so, I can remember And so, I can remember And so, I can remember when I forgot my flashlight when I forgot my flashlight when I forgot my flashlight having to walk from the main house to having to walk from the main house to having to walk from the main house to the log cabin, which was about 20 yards. the log cabin, which was about 20 yards. the log cabin, which was about 20 yards. And you say, "Well, that's no big deal. And you say, "Well, that's no big deal. And you say, "Well, that's no big deal. I hope you can do that." But you'd I hope you can do that." But you'd I hope you can do that." But you'd understand, this was in the mountains of understand, this was in the mountains of understand, this was in the mountains of Colorado. This was not Houston, Colorado. This was not Houston, Colorado. This was not Houston, where even when it's dark, it's light where even when it's dark, it's light where even when it's dark, it's light because of our ambient light. So, we're because of our ambient light. So, we're because of our ambient light. So, we're talking about I can remember walking talking about I can remember walking talking about I can remember walking and it's just and it's just and it's just utterly utterly utterly dark. I mean, I cannot see anything, dark. I mean, I cannot see anything, dark. I mean, I cannot see anything, anything in front of me. anything in front of me. anything in front of me. So, I'm just kind of creeping along, you So, I'm just kind of creeping along, you So, I'm just kind of creeping along, you know, walking kind of like one of our know, walking kind of like one of our know, walking kind of like one of our former presidents, and just Come on, man. So, I Come on, man. So, I am am am stumbling and bumping in I'm bumping stumbling and bumping in I'm bumping stumbling and bumping in I'm bumping into rocks and not knowing if a raccoon into rocks and not knowing if a raccoon into rocks and not knowing if a raccoon or a mountain lion's going to come out.

or a mountain lion's going to come out. or a mountain lion's going to come out. And it's only 20 yards, but it's hard to And it's only 20 yards, but it's hard to And it's only 20 yards, but it's hard to walk walk walk in the utter darkness. Perhaps you've in the utter darkness. Perhaps you've in the utter darkness. Perhaps you've been there in your life somewhere where been there in your life somewhere where been there in your life somewhere where you get far outside the city, you're in you get far outside the city, you're in you get far outside the city, you're in the mountains or somewhere, and it's the mountains or somewhere, and it's the mountains or somewhere, and it's just so dark you can't see in front of just so dark you can't see in front of just so dark you can't see in front of you. you. you. But it But it's not a good thing But it But it's not a good thing But it But it's not a good thing uh to be walking in the dark, whether uh to be walking in the dark, whether uh to be walking in the dark, whether you're walking in the literal dark or you're walking in the literal dark or you're walking in the literal dark or you're walking in the dark you're walking in the dark you're walking in the dark uh metaphorically, so to speak. uh metaphorically, so to speak. uh metaphorically, so to speak. And as I look at at our culture, and one And as I look at at our culture, and one And as I look at at our culture, and one of the things my wife and I talk about a of the things my wife and I talk about a of the things my wife and I talk about a lot is just how much darker our world lot is just how much darker our world lot is just how much darker our world seems to be today. seems to be today. seems to be today. It just seems to be darker than it was It just seems to be darker than it was It just seems to be darker than it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago. And And the most difficult part ago. And And the most difficult part ago. And And the most difficult part about the darkness that we're walking in about the darkness that we're walking in about the darkness that we're walking in today is that it seems to be getting today is that it seems to be getting today is that it seems to be getting darker darker darker and darker. and darker. and darker. And many times we're like, you know, And many times we're like, you know, And many times we're like, you know, God, what is going on here? Why are we God, what is going on here? Why are we God, what is going on here? Why are we seemingly in so many ways declining? As seemingly in so many ways declining? As seemingly in so many ways declining? As our technology increases, our morality, our technology increases, our morality, our technology increases, our morality, our sense of purpose, our sense of our sense of purpose, our sense of our sense of purpose, our sense of appreciation of for for where we live in appreciation of for for where we live in appreciation of for for where we live in time and space is is decreasing and time and space is is decreasing and time and space is is decreasing and declining.

we're not alone. we're not alone. If if you know a little bit about If if you know a little bit about If if you know a little bit about history, you know that a lot of people history, you know that a lot of people history, you know that a lot of people during their own time of history felt during their own time of history felt during their own time of history felt like I am we are living in the darkest like I am we are living in the darkest like I am we are living in the darkest moments of planet Earth. And maybe moments of planet Earth. And maybe moments of planet Earth. And maybe compared to some folks, they probably compared to some folks, they probably compared to some folks, they probably were. But the good news is this, God were. But the good news is this, God were. But the good news is this, God always speaks to us and speaks a word to always speaks to us and speaks a word to always speaks to us and speaks a word to us us us in the midst in the midst in the midst of darkness. of darkness. of darkness. So we just last week, last Sunday, we So we just last week, last Sunday, we So we just last week, last Sunday, we launched launched a new series called launched launched a new series called launched launched a new series called all all all things things things new. All things new. All things new. All things new. At the end of the book of new. At the end of the book of new. At the end of the book of Revelation, John quotes the Lord by Revelation, John quotes the Lord by Revelation, John quotes the Lord by saying, "Behold, I am making all things saying, "Behold, I am making all things saying, "Behold, I am making all things new." And last week, we looked at three new." And last week, we looked at three new." And last week, we looked at three helpful questions when you read the helpful questions when you read the helpful questions when you read the Bible. If you're reading any passage of Bible. If you're reading any passage of Bible. If you're reading any passage of the Bible, and you're wondering, "How the Bible, and you're wondering, "How the Bible, and you're wondering, "How can I better understand it?" You can ask can I better understand it?" You can ask can I better understand it?" You can ask yourself these three helpful questions.

yourself these three helpful questions. yourself these three helpful questions. Number one, what does it tell us about Number one, what does it tell us about Number one, what does it tell us about God? God? God? Number two, what does it tell us about Number two, what does it tell us about Number two, what does it tell us about ourselves? And number three, what does ourselves? And number three, what does ourselves? And number three, what does it tell us to do? it tell us to do? it tell us to do? Now, obviously, when you're studying Now, obviously, when you're studying Now, obviously, when you're studying God's word, there's a many ways to God's word, there's a many ways to God's word, there's a many ways to uh many questions you can ask about your uh many questions you can ask about your uh many questions you can ask about your passage. That's just a good helpful way passage. That's just a good helpful way passage. That's just a good helpful way when you're reading a verse or verses, when you're reading a verse or verses, when you're reading a verse or verses, you can ask those three questions, and you can ask those three questions, and you can ask those three questions, and they will be helpful they will be helpful they will be helpful to you to understand what you're reading to you to understand what you're reading to you to understand what you're reading and how to apply it in your life. So and how to apply it in your life. So and how to apply it in your life. So with that in mind, those questions in with that in mind, those questions in with that in mind, those questions in mind, let's open mind, let's open mind, let's open our Bibles, if you would, to the book of our Bibles, if you would, to the book of our Bibles, if you would, to the book of First John. Not the Gospel of John, but First John. Not the Gospel of John, but First John. Not the Gospel of John, but First John. First John is towards the First John. First John is towards the First John. First John is towards the end of the Bible, right before end of the Bible, right before end of the Bible, right before Revelation. First John chapter five, I Revelation. First John chapter five, I Revelation. First John chapter five, I mean, First John chapter one. That was mean, First John chapter one. That was mean, First John chapter one. That was fast. Verses five through 10. fast. Verses five through 10. fast. Verses five through 10. Chapter one, verses five through 10. Chapter one, verses five through 10. Chapter one, verses five through 10. John is writing at about 85 AD from John is writing at about 85 AD from John is writing at about 85 AD from Ephesus, which is modern-day Turkey. He Ephesus, which is modern-day Turkey. He Ephesus, which is modern-day Turkey. He is in Ephesus because he is fleeing is in Ephesus because he is fleeing is in Ephesus because he is fleeing persecution from Jerusalem and he has persecution from Jerusalem and he has persecution from Jerusalem and he has taken Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, taken Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, taken Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, with him to Ephesus and there are many with him to Ephesus and there are many with him to Ephesus and there are many churches that he has planted churches that he has planted churches that he has planted in the Mediterranean area area and he's in the Mediterranean area area and he's in the Mediterranean area area and he's writing writing writing this letter to those churches. And this letter to those churches. And this letter to those churches. And here's what he says.

here's what he says. here's what he says. He says, "This is the message we have He says, "This is the message we have He says, "This is the message we have heard from him, from Christ, and declare heard from him, from Christ, and declare heard from him, from Christ, and declare to you. to you. to you. God is God is God is light. light. light. In him there is no darkness at all. In him there is no darkness at all. In him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him, If we claim to have fellowship with him, If we claim to have fellowship with him, to have a relationship with God, and yet to have a relationship with God, and yet to have a relationship with God, and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live walk in darkness, we lie and do not live walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. out the truth. out the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in But if we walk in the light as he is in But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one the light, we have fellowship with one the light, we have fellowship with one another another another and the blood of Jesus, his son, and the blood of Jesus, his son, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to purifies us from all sin. If we claim to purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, be without sin, be without sin, we deceive ourselves we deceive ourselves we deceive ourselves and the truth and the truth and the truth is not in us. is not in us. is not in us. If we confess our sins, If we confess our sins, If we confess our sins, he, God, is faithful and just and will he, God, is faithful and just and will he, God, is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from forgive us our sins and purify us from forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have all unrighteousness. If we claim we have all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, not sinned, not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his we make him out to be a liar and his we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in word is not in word is not in us.

Genesis Genesis 1:1 1:1 1:1 following begins with the earth being covered in with the earth being covered in darkness. And God speaks And God speaks and says, "Let there be and says, "Let there be and says, "Let there be light." light." light." And there is light. John repeat repeats that refrain as he John repeat repeats that refrain as he is making a parallel between is making a parallel between is making a parallel between the beginning in Genesis 1 as well as he the beginning in Genesis 1 as well as he the beginning in Genesis 1 as well as he does in the Gospel of John. He says God does in the Gospel of John. He says God does in the Gospel of John. He says God is is is light. light. light. light light light One of the most fascinating, powerful, One of the most fascinating, powerful, One of the most fascinating, powerful, intriguing, mysterious intriguing, mysterious intriguing, mysterious substances or reality that we seek to substances or reality that we seek to substances or reality that we seek to understand that's absolutely essential understand that's absolutely essential understand that's absolutely essential for our well-being and for the for our well-being and for the for our well-being and for the well-being of our planet and the world well-being of our planet and the world well-being of our planet and the world is is is light.

light. light. light light light Let's look at light. First of what light Let's look at light. First of what light Let's look at light. First of what light is a riddle and a mystery. It's an is a riddle and a mystery. It's an is a riddle and a mystery. It's an antinomy to scientists who have studied antinomy to scientists who have studied antinomy to scientists who have studied it. Some scientists study and ask the Some scientists study and ask the question, "What is light made of?" question, "What is light made of?" question, "What is light made of?" Because that's what science really does. Because that's what science really does. Because that's what science really does. Science answers the question, "What is Science answers the question, "What is Science answers the question, "What is something made of and how does it work?" something made of and how does it work?" something made of and how does it work?" So scientists have studied light for So scientists have studied light for So scientists have studied light for many years and they Some scientists come many years and they Some scientists come many years and they Some scientists come up with these findings and theories that up with these findings and theories that up with these findings and theories that say, "Ah, light consists of particles." say, "Ah, light consists of particles." say, "Ah, light consists of particles." Other scientists have studied light Other scientists have studied light Other scientists have studied light trying to figure out what is light made trying to figure out what is light made trying to figure out what is light made of. What does light consist of? And of. What does light consist of? And of. What does light consist of? And these scientists say, "Light consists of these scientists say, "Light consists of these scientists say, "Light consists of waves." waves." waves." Well, how are these things true at the Well, how are these things true at the Well, how are these things true at the same time? It can't be particles and same time? It can't be particles and same time? It can't be particles and waves, waves, waves, but the empirical evidence is in and the but the empirical evidence is in and the but the empirical evidence is in and the best we understand it is both. Both are best we understand it is both. Both are best we understand it is both. Both are true at the same time. So the very true at the same time. So the very true at the same time. So the very nature of light that we know is somewhat nature of light that we know is somewhat nature of light that we know is somewhat mysterious.

mysterious. mysterious. Often as we talk about the speed of Often as we talk about the speed of Often as we talk about the speed of light. The speed of light is 108 186,000 light. The speed of light is 108 186,000 light. The speed of light is 108 186,000 miles per second. miles per second. miles per second. 186,000 miles per second. That's 300,000 186,000 miles per second. That's 300,000 186,000 miles per second. That's 300,000 times faster than the fastest jet we've times faster than the fastest jet we've times faster than the fastest jet we've ever created. ever created. ever created. We talk about light years. Someone that We talk about light years. Someone that We talk about light years. Someone that that's light years away. What is a light that's light years away. What is a light that's light years away. What is a light year? A light year is a measure of year? A light year is a measure of year? A light year is a measure of distance, not time. And it equals the distance, not time. And it equals the distance, not time. And it equals the total space that a light beam that a total space that a light beam that a total space that a light beam that a beam of light travels in one Earth year, beam of light travels in one Earth year, beam of light travels in one Earth year, and that is 5.88 and that is 5.88 and that is 5.88 88 88 88 trillion trillion trillion miles. miles. miles. So, we go outside and we look at a star So, we go outside and we look at a star So, we go outside and we look at a star that is a hundred light years away, that that is a hundred light years away, that that is a hundred light years away, that means we are observing light in 2026 means we are observing light in 2026 means we are observing light in 2026 that actually burnt out a hundred years that actually burnt out a hundred years that actually burnt out a hundred years ago. ago. ago. So, we're actually looking at So, we're actually looking at So, we're actually looking at the past.

We know that we don't perceive light We know that we don't perceive light directly, but indirectly. We know light directly, but indirectly. We know light directly, but indirectly. We know light is present because we're able to see is present because we're able to see is present because we're able to see things that light has illuminated. When things that light has illuminated. When things that light has illuminated. When we walk into a dark room and we turn on we walk into a dark room and we turn on we walk into a dark room and we turn on the light, light is self-evidencing. We the light, light is self-evidencing. We the light, light is self-evidencing. We see light by light. Light is the medium see light by light. Light is the medium see light by light. Light is the medium by which you are able to see anything at by which you are able to see anything at by which you are able to see anything at all. all. all. Light Light Light is truly amazing. Light is truly fast. is truly amazing. Light is truly fast. is truly amazing. Light is truly fast. Light is truly powerful and pure and Light is truly powerful and pure and Light is truly powerful and pure and absolutely essential to our existence as absolutely essential to our existence as absolutely essential to our existence as a species and as a planet. And God's a species and as a planet. And God's a species and as a planet. And God's word tells us what light is. God is word tells us what light is. God is word tells us what light is. God is light. In John chapter 1, the gospel, In John chapter 1, the gospel, John writes, "In the beginning was the John writes, "In the beginning was the John writes, "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word, and the word was with God, and the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was with God in the word was God. He was with God in the word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were beginning. Through him all things were beginning. Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that made. Without him nothing was made that made. Without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that has been made. In him was life, and that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light life was the light of men. The light life was the light of men. The light shined in the darkness, but the darkness shined in the darkness, but the darkness shined in the darkness, but the darkness didn't understand it." "There came a man didn't understand it." "There came a man didn't understand it." "There came a man who was sent from God. His name was who was sent from God. His name was who was sent from God. His name was John. He came to bear witness to the John. He came to bear witness to the John. He came to bear witness to the light. He himself was not the light. He light. He himself was not the light. He light. He himself was not the light. He was only a witness to the light, the was only a witness to the light, the was only a witness to the light, the true light, true light, true light, that gives light to every man, to every that gives light to every man, to every that gives light to every man, to every woman, was coming into the world."

woman, was coming into the world." woman, was coming into the world." John told us last week, "Listen, we have John told us last week, "Listen, we have John told us last week, "Listen, we have seen and experienced this light. seen and experienced this light. seen and experienced this light. We've been with him. We've walked with We've been with him. We've walked with We've been with him. We've walked with him. We've talked with him. We've him. We've talked with him. We've him. We've talked with him. We've listened to him. We saw him die. We saw listened to him. We saw him die. We saw listened to him. We saw him die. We saw him buried. We saw him alive. This is him buried. We saw him alive. This is him buried. We saw him alive. This is the light. This is the message," he the light. This is the message," he the light. This is the message," he writes this week, "that we share with writes this week, "that we share with writes this week, "that we share with you." you." you." God God God is is is pure pure pure light. light. light. And in him there is no darkness at all. is full is full and made of light. All of creation was and made of light. All of creation was and made of light. All of creation was made, as we looked at last week, through made, as we looked at last week, through made, as we looked at last week, through the Logos. The Logos is the source of the Logos. The Logos is the source of the Logos. The Logos is the source of life. The Logos is the source of light. life. The Logos is the source of light. life. The Logos is the source of light. The Logos is the source of light for The Logos is the source of light for The Logos is the source of light for every single person.

Augustine said this. He said, "The Augustine said this. He said, "The divine Logos enlightens everyone with divine Logos enlightens everyone with divine Logos enlightens everyone with innate truths about God and morals and innate truths about God and morals and innate truths about God and morals and reason itself." reason itself." reason itself." So, God, who is light, who is the Logos, So, God, who is light, who is the Logos, So, God, who is light, who is the Logos, designed the universe in such a way to designed the universe in such a way to designed the universe in such a way to reveal himself to everyone. All created reveal himself to everyone. All created reveal himself to everyone. All created things were designed with meaning and things were designed with meaning and things were designed with meaning and purpose built into them. purpose built into them. purpose built into them. When we contemplate the natural world, When we contemplate the natural world, When we contemplate the natural world, we're able to see the nature and the we're able to see the nature and the we're able to see the nature and the character of this God who is light. I love what the great C.S. Lewis said. I love what the great C.S. Lewis said. He said, "I believe in Christianity He said, "I believe in Christianity He said, "I believe in Christianity or God as I believe that the sun has or God as I believe that the sun has or God as I believe that the sun has risen, not because I see it, but because risen, not because I see it, but because risen, not because I see it, but because by it I see everything by it I see everything by it I see everything else." else." else." God, God, God, the Logos, the Logos, the Logos, is the light and the source of all is the light and the source of all is the light and the source of all reality and all knowledge.

reality and all knowledge. reality and all knowledge. And we, And we, And we, if we're to live a life if we're to live a life if we're to live a life of truth, of meaning, and of purpose, we of truth, of meaning, and of purpose, we of truth, of meaning, and of purpose, we need to see things need to see things need to see things in a new in a new in a new light. light. light. We need to see God and his word and his We need to see God and his word and his We need to see God and his word and his reality in a reality in a reality in a new new new light. light. light. We need to see our marriage We need to see our marriage We need to see our marriage in a new in a new in a new light. We need to see our kids in a new light. We need to see our kids in a new light. We need to see our kids in a new light. We need to see our challenges in light. We need to see our challenges in light. We need to see our challenges in a new light. a new light. a new light. And we need God's light And we need God's light And we need God's light to be able to be able to be able to see. He tells us He tells us in this passage today Don't walk in darkness.

Don't walk in darkness. If you walk in darkness, you're living a If you walk in darkness, you're living a If you walk in darkness, you're living a lie. lie. lie. And one thing about us is this, is that And one thing about us is this, is that And one thing about us is this, is that lying lying lying especially to men, just comes easy for especially to men, just comes easy for especially to men, just comes easy for us. It does. us. It does. us. It does. I have grandchildren, very young I have grandchildren, very young I have grandchildren, very young grandkids. The oldest is eight. grandkids. The oldest is eight. grandkids. The oldest is eight. Lying is just innate. We can just all Lying is just innate. We can just all Lying is just innate. We can just all lie. And and you know, I'm not picking lie. And and you know, I'm not picking lie. And and you know, I'm not picking on them. We continue to lie. A lot lot on them. We continue to lie. A lot lot on them. We continue to lie. A lot lot of times we lie to ourself. of times we lie to ourself. of times we lie to ourself. You know, think about it. We we read a You know, think about it. We we read a You know, think about it. We we read a label that says you know, label that says you know, label that says you know, fat free. We lie to ourself. We think fat free. We lie to ourself. We think fat free. We lie to ourself. We think that means calorie free. Don't we? I'm just going to watch one more show, I'm just going to watch one more show, one more show, one more episode. Just one more show, one more episode. Just one more show, one more episode. Just one more. Just one more. Lie to ourself. Lie to ourself. The E on our gas gauge doesn't really The E on our gas gauge doesn't really The E on our gas gauge doesn't really mean empty, right? No, it doesn't. mean empty, right? No, it doesn't. mean empty, right? No, it doesn't. We we lie to ourself. When we lie to We we lie to ourself. When we lie to We we lie to ourself. When we lie to ourself, it's like I was trying to walk ourself, it's like I was trying to walk ourself, it's like I was trying to walk this 20 yards in Colorado, we're walking this 20 yards in Colorado, we're walking this 20 yards in Colorado, we're walking in the darkness.

I'm going to hold on to your resentment. I'm going to hold on to your resentment. That'll solve the problem in my life. That'll solve the problem in my life. That'll solve the problem in my life. It's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie. I'm going to hold on to anger and vent I'm going to hold on to anger and vent I'm going to hold on to anger and vent my anger. That'll solve it. I'm going to continue to wallow in envy I'm going to continue to wallow in envy and jealousy, and that's going to really and jealousy, and that's going to really and jealousy, and that's going to really push me forward with God. That That's a push me forward with God. That That's a push me forward with God. That That's a lie. Darkness, walking in darkness Darkness, walking in darkness living a lie it unproductive. living a lie it unproductive. living a lie it unproductive. It doesn't work and it doesn't honor God It doesn't work and it doesn't honor God It doesn't work and it doesn't honor God or honor the person that God has made or honor the person that God has made or honor the person that God has made you and designed you to be. you and designed you to be. you and designed you to be. When we do that, we're not living in in When we do that, we're not living in in When we do that, we're not living in in alignment. Martin Luther King Jr. put it this way, Martin Luther King Jr. put it this way, he said, "Darkness cannot drive out he said, "Darkness cannot drive out he said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only darkness, only darkness, only light can do that."

We fight the darkness. We fight the darkness. We fight the lies, all these things We fight the lies, all these things We fight the lies, all these things with the light of God of God and its grace. as as men and women to bring to bring light We've all walked in darkness. We've all walked in darkness. We all have our stories, our We all have our stories, our We all have our stories, our testimonies. testimonies. testimonies. When we didn't think we needed God and When we didn't think we needed God and When we didn't think we needed God and we're trying to run our own life and we we're trying to run our own life and we we're trying to run our own life and we thought we had it made in the shade and thought we had it made in the shade and thought we had it made in the shade and we're walking in the dark and then we're walking in the dark and then we're walking in the dark and then something happens and God wakes us up something happens and God wakes us up something happens and God wakes us up and we see God for who he is, we see and we see God for who he is, we see and we see God for who he is, we see ourselves for who we are and we cry out, ourselves for who we are and we cry out, ourselves for who we are and we cry out, "Oh God, forgive me. I want your light "Oh God, forgive me. I want your light "Oh God, forgive me. I want your light in my life." And God changes our life in my life." And God changes our life in my life." And God changes our life and we start to walk as children of the and we start to walk as children of the and we start to walk as children of the light and our calling is to bring others light and our calling is to bring others light and our calling is to bring others into the light.

God desires that all of us, God desires that all of us, no matter if you've been a Christian for no matter if you've been a Christian for no matter if you've been a Christian for 1 week, you've been a Christian for 10 1 week, you've been a Christian for 10 1 week, you've been a Christian for 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, he wants all years, 20 years, 50 years, he wants all years, 20 years, 50 years, he wants all of us to walk in the light. And as we're of us to walk in the light. And as we're of us to walk in the light. And as we're walking in the light, God continues to walking in the light, God continues to walking in the light, God continues to give us more light and more light and give us more light and more light and give us more light and more light and more light. How do you know if you're walking in the How do you know if you're walking in the dark? You know you're walking in the dark? You know you're walking in the dark? You know you're walking in the dark if you're saying, "You know what? I dark if you're saying, "You know what? I dark if you're saying, "You know what? I really don't need God. I'm not a sinner. I'm not a sinner. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I vote right. I I don't I don't need I vote right. I I don't I don't need I vote right. I I don't I don't need God. I'm smart. I went to college. I've got I'm smart. I went to college. I've got money. I don't God, I don't money. I don't God, I don't money. I don't God, I don't What's that? Who's that? What's that? Who's that? What's that? Who's that? Sinner? Sinner? Sinner? Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? I'm a good person. I'm a good person. I'm a good person. You're walking in the dark.

You're walking in the dark. You're walking in the dark. You're lying to yourself and you're You're lying to yourself and you're You're lying to yourself and you're lying to God. lying to God. lying to God. God wants us. God wants us. God wants us. God calls us. God calls us. God calls us. And God equips us to walk And God equips us to walk And God equips us to walk in in in the light. When you walk in the light, the light. When you walk in the light, the light. When you walk in the light, what are we doing? Well, we're walking what are we doing? Well, we're walking what are we doing? Well, we're walking in a place of in a place of in a place of I think stating the obvious, confessing. I think stating the obvious, confessing. I think stating the obvious, confessing. Confessing our brokenness, confessing Confessing our brokenness, confessing Confessing our brokenness, confessing our sinfulness, confessing our utter our sinfulness, confessing our utter our sinfulness, confessing our utter need need need of God and his grace. of God and his grace. of God and his grace. We walk in the light, we're confessing. We walk in the light, we're confessing. We walk in the light, we're confessing. We're We're aware, if you would, uh of We're We're aware, if you would, uh of We're We're aware, if you would, uh of the sins that God convicts us of. We're the sins that God convicts us of. We're the sins that God convicts us of. We're aware of our pride, we're aware of our aware of our pride, we're aware of our aware of our pride, we're aware of our anger, we're aware of our greed, our anger, we're aware of our greed, our anger, we're aware of our greed, our envy, our lust. All these things God envy, our lust. All these things God envy, our lust. All these things God convicts us so we can confess our sins convicts us so we can confess our sins convicts us so we can confess our sins to him. And we confess our sins, what to him. And we confess our sins, what to him. And we confess our sins, what does God's word tell us today? He is does God's word tell us today? He is does God's word tell us today? He is faithful and he forgives us and cleanses faithful and he forgives us and cleanses faithful and he forgives us and cleanses us by the blood of his son Jesus Christ, us by the blood of his son Jesus Christ, us by the blood of his son Jesus Christ, who is also the light of the world.

who is also the light of the world. who is also the light of the world. It's grace, God's amazing grace. The logos that is light became a person The logos that is light became a person and started shining his light on a and started shining his light on a and started shining his light on a broken world to broken people like you broken world to broken people like you broken world to broken people like you and broken people like me that we could and broken people like me that we could and broken people like me that we could be restored and become light bearers and be restored and become light bearers and be restored and become light bearers and children of light. That's the plan. That's the plan. That's what God did. And he calls us And he calls us every day every day every day at work at work at work at home or working out or working out whatever we're doing, wherever we're whatever we're doing, wherever we're whatever we're doing, wherever we're going, at school, he calls us to let our going, at school, he calls us to let our going, at school, he calls us to let our light light light shine. We're We're like John the Baptist in We're We're like John the Baptist in John 1 a little bit. We're not the John 1 a little bit. We're not the John 1 a little bit. We're not the light.

light. light. We're not all that in a bag of organic We're not all that in a bag of organic We're not all that in a bag of organic chips. We're not that. No one is. But we've had the light change our life But we've had the light change our life and we want to share that light and we and we want to share that light and we and we want to share that light and we want to be that light want to be that light want to be that light in a broken and fallen world, in a world in a broken and fallen world, in a world in a broken and fallen world, in a world that seems to be almost overwhelming that seems to be almost overwhelming that seems to be almost overwhelming with darkness and time. We want to be with darkness and time. We want to be with darkness and time. We want to be that that that light. It's a simple prayer you can pray. God, It's a simple prayer you can pray. God, help me to be a light help me to be a light help me to be a light to my family today. to my family today. to my family today. God, help me to be a light to my friends God, help me to be a light to my friends God, help me to be a light to my friends today. God, help me to be a light in my today. God, help me to be a light in my today. God, help me to be a light in my job today. God, help me to be a light at job today. God, help me to be a light at job today. God, help me to be a light at school today. God, I want to be a light school today. God, I want to be a light school today. God, I want to be a light for you. I want to shine your light among those around me. among those around me. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way. He Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way. He Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way. He said, "Your life as a Christian should said, "Your life as a Christian should said, "Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their make non-believers question their make non-believers question their disbelief in God."

disbelief in God." disbelief in God." It's a challenge, isn't it? It's a challenge, isn't it? It's a challenge, isn't it? Our light should shine so brightly Our light should shine so brightly Our light should shine so brightly our our honesty, our humility, our our our honesty, our humility, our our our honesty, our humility, our courage should be so real that others courage should be so real that others courage should be so real that others who may be outside the church or just who may be outside the church or just who may be outside the church or just simply seeking to go, "Wow, simply seeking to go, "Wow, simply seeking to go, "Wow, I want that." Ask God Ask God for his mercy. for his mercy. for his mercy. Ask God for his help. God, help me to Ask God for his help. God, help me to Ask God for his help. God, help me to see things in a new see things in a new see things in a new light. Help me to see things in a new Help me to see things in a new light. We're just laying We're just laying the foundation the foundation the foundation right now. In the following weeks, the right now. In the following weeks, the right now. In the following weeks, the following Sundays, God has so much more following Sundays, God has so much more following Sundays, God has so much more for us. for us. for us. So much more.

George Ritchie was about George Ritchie was about 20 years old going through basic 20 years old going through basic 20 years old going through basic training in Abilene, Texas, and training in Abilene, Texas, and training in Abilene, Texas, and he became seriously ill with double he became seriously ill with double he became seriously ill with double pneumonia. They had to rush him to the pneumonia. They had to rush him to the pneumonia. They had to rush him to the ER. They brought him there, he was ER. They brought him there, he was ER. They brought him there, he was pronounced pronounced pronounced dead. And when he was dead, he And when he was dead, he said he said he said he became disconnected from his body. He became disconnected from his body. He became disconnected from his body. He found himself in this room. found himself in this room. found himself in this room. And this room was filled with this light And this room was filled with this light And this room was filled with this light that was so bright that he could barely that was so bright that he could barely that was so bright that he could barely see, but it didn't blind him. A light see, but it didn't blind him. A light see, but it didn't blind him. A light that was so intense and so hot and so that was so intense and so hot and so that was so intense and so hot and so warm that it didn't burn him. And he warm that it didn't burn him. And he warm that it didn't burn him. And he felt enveloped by this light. He felt felt enveloped by this light. He felt felt enveloped by this light. He felt overwhelmed and known by this light. And overwhelmed and known by this light. And overwhelmed and known by this light. And he felt this light was wrapping him with he felt this light was wrapping him with he felt this light was wrapping him with a type of warmth. And then in this a type of warmth. And then in this a type of warmth. And then in this near-death experience that he was near-death experience that he was near-death experience that he was having, he realized that this light was having, he realized that this light was having, he realized that this light was actually a person. It was a man made out actually a person. It was a man made out actually a person. It was a man made out of of of light.

And he came back. And he came back. He came back to life He came back to life He came back to life to tell that story to tell that story to tell that story of being immersed in what was probably in what was probably the light the light the light of Christ of Christ of Christ himself. moon, moon, stars. The lamb The lamb will be will be will be the light the light the light that will light the city that will light the city that will light the city of God.

don't don't walk in the darkness. walk in the darkness. walk in the darkness. Walk Walk Walk in the light in the light in the light of His grace of His grace of His grace and His truth.