Light for Your Life

Chuckle: "Voting is like choosing your favorite mosquito out of a swarm!"

Quote: "Eyes that will not see are far more blind than eyes that cannot see." --William Arthur Ward

“In him was life; and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. . . The true light, that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:4-5, 9 KJV) . "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path . . I will not forget your law . . Your statutes . . the joy of my heart" (Psalm 119:105,109,111 NIV).

Have you ever experienced darkness so intense that you could not see where to plant your foot for the next step much less far enough ahead to know which path to take? Light is a wonderful thing. Since God said, "Let there be light," it has dispelled darkness and reveals the world that could not be seen and understood without it. Life can be filled with darkness and leave a person uncertain how to navigate through it. However, believers have the benefit of God's Word as a guiding light. We know where we are going in life and we know how to get there. We have God's Spirit to help us and the Bible to show us the way. The Bible is a Christian's greatest treasure. The psalmist uses two different words to describe the illumination given us by God's Word.

"Lamp" to my feet. In my mind's eye, I see a person walking along a path carrying a lamp with its light directed to the ground at his feet. As a lamp, the Bible gives specific illumination to help us with each step we take and each decision we make in life. He that uses that lamp faithfully learns where to set his foot as he walks along the treacherous paths of this life. It gives us guidance for every situation we will ever face if we will only trust it.

"Light" for my path. This light illuminates our path, gives us direction, and shows us God and His relationship to the world as the Creator. It shows us what is amiss in our lives, and what will be dangerous to us. It reveals the darkness of evil in this world and God's plan for dispelling that darkness by defeating the forces of evil and keeps us on the right path.

In the gospel of John, Jesus, the Living Word, calls himself the Light of the World who gives light and hope to a lost mankind. The Word reveals the difference in good and evil and lights the path to eternal life through faith in Christ. God's Word tells us that without Christ, we are lost. If you don't know where you are going, you are lost.  The Bible does not use the word "unsaved" to describe the condition of those without Christ; it uses the word "lost."

Proverbs 6:23 KJV: "For the (each) commandment is a lamp; and the law (Word) is the light." The Bible is the light and each command or teaching within it directs our steps. So we can say God's Word is a light to guide us in selecting our path through life in general, and a lamp to guide each of our steps along that path. We become sensitive to God's goodness in giving us such a lamp and light when we make His Word our manual for living -- our light for life. How do you feel about God's Word, the Bible? Is it collecting dust on a shelf or is it well worn from regular use as the Light and lamp which guides your life?

Love, Jerry & Dotse