Pierce the Dark

"I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark." - John 12:46



If you were to go on an excursion, when would you use a torch? Would you use it during the day or in the dark of night? If you're like most people, you use it at night. Why? The torch shines just as brightly in the light of day as it does after dark. So there must be a reason that it is only used in darkness.


There's a simple explanation. A torch pales in comparison to the light of the sun. It doesn't even make a noticeable difference in its surroundings.


It's kind of like God's light in a Christian's life. A torch is needed more when it is dark. God's light is needed more where darkness is overwhelming. Yes, we are supposed to let our light shine. Yes, we are supposed to make that light visible to those around us.


But there's more to it than that.


God wants us to do more than shine. He wants us to carry His light into the darkest places. That's where He is needed the most. He wants us to carry His light to those places where people cannot see what is holding them back. Those places where people have given up all hope. Because His light illuminates their lives and their paths. It brings hope when they can see what is coming next.


It's hard. I'll be honest. Carrying God's light into those dark places is hard. And it can be scary. Evil loves darkness because it can hide there. But just because we can't see those obstacles or anything coming our way doesn't mean we shouldn't go. In fact, it's the very reason why we should. If things look hopeless from the outside, imagine how the people trapped in it feel. Carrying God's light there eliminates that hopelessness. First of all, it allows the torch bearer to see what is around him or her - including the good that was originally hidden and can now give him or her hope. Secondly, it draws other people to the Light; it allows them to see a difference and to see hope and shows them how to light their own torch.


That Light God wants us to carry is amazing. It can't be explained or even understood. But earlier this year, God helped me understand a part of it by comparing it to the Olympic torch. The Olympic torch is actually quite fascinating. Obviously, the relay is different every Olympic year, but the torch has been transported through some very interesting places and in interesting ways. But there is one thing that really stands out to me right now.


The Olympic torch has been carried through places that should have extinguished its light - including underwater.


God used this fact to teach me the most important thing about His Light. Nothing can extinguish it. Have you ever carried a candle into a dark room and had the flame go out on you just because it was dark? Of course not. In fact, the light from the candle actually got rid of the darkness. God's Light inside of us is the same way. Nothing can extinguish it - not rules or laws or pressure from people. Not even Satan himself can extinguish that Light.


So carry His Light. Don't be complacent about it. Just because the Light inside of you is shining doesn't mean everyone can see it. The people who need it the most are so lost in darkness that they will only see His Light if you carry Him to them. So do it. Pierce the darkness with the Light of the World.