Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV)

I recently had to leave home very early one morning while it was still dark.  I do not like driving in the dark, and I especially do not like driving in the dark in a lot of traffic, but I was headed toward Charlotte and traffic was unavoidable.  Although I knew exactly where my destination was, my nerves were already a little on edge. I was anticipating the 7:30 am appointment, dealing with the darkness and the traffic, when I looked in my rearview mirror. 

You know how the front end of some vehicles look like faces?  Maybe it’s from watching some of the animated movies with my grandchildren or reading with them from some of their children’s books, but I often look at the front of vehicles and see various “faces.” Well, when I looked in my rearview mirror that morning, I saw evil eyes looking back at me. In the darkness, all I could see were the headlights from the car riding a little too close to me, and they looked sinister.  My normally low blood pressure probably increased immediately. I know for sure my heart rate did.

I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and tried to focus on the road. I prayed again for God to help me. A couple minutes later I glanced in my rearview again and saw something completely different. The Eastern sky was beginning to awaken with the morning sun and sparse clouds were turning pink and orange. The evil eyes were fading away as I noticed the rays from the sun.

It hit me then.  God’s light drowns out all darkness. I wasn’t alone like I had felt I was just moments before. The Lord was illuminating my heart, driving out the nervousness and anxiety, just as the sun was chasing away the darkness and the presence of evil that had threatened to hover near. Although the sky in front of me was still dark, just that quick glimpse of light behind had calmed me and gave me hope. I knew the light would soon overtake all the darkness.

That’s how it is in our spiritual lives, as well.  Sometimes it may feel like we are riding in darkness. We may feel the presence of evil eyes watching for a way to oppress and discourage us. We may know exactly where we are headed, but the journey can still feel a little scary. But when we turn our view toward the Eastern sky, the direction from which one day our Lord will appear, our thoughts and hopes can cling to the promise of His coming.  We know He is with us always, but we still must travel in a dark world.  We still have to deal with the presence of our enemy.  But, oh, someday…

How about you?  Do you know where you are headed in this journey of life? If you have placed your faith and trust in Christ, cling to the hope of His coming.  We still must endure things in this life, but we are promised that joy comes in the morning.  If you haven’t received Christ as your Savior, please consider doing so. The pleasure this world has to offer is temporary and leads to eternal darkness. But the gift of salvation will lead to everlasting light and life. What’s within your view?

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be the Light of the World! Help us to remember that although we live in this dark and scary place, Your Light can illuminate our paths so that we can clearly travel close to You. Thank You for the glimpses of Your love we see in our everyday lives that keep us mindful You are near. May we keep our view directed toward the hope of Your return. We love You, Father! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.
For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
From heaven the Lord viewed the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To release those appointed to death,
To declare the name of the Lord in Zion,
And His praise in Jerusalem,
When the peoples are gathered together,
And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

Psalm 102:18-22 (NKJV)