The Light

It's funny how easily we get used to things that aren't comfortable or good for us.

My home is over 30 years old, and the light fixtures were mostly fluorescent. The bulbs were long-lasting, but didn't produce much light. And they were annoying because they would blink for several seconds before coming on. I wear glasses, and I hate overhead light because it shines down behind my lenses and bothers my vision. So I just chose to use my laundry room in the dark.

We've been doing some remodeling and replacing of things around here, so we switched out the laundry room light for an incandescent fixture. Now the light comes on immediately and is oh-so bright.

But I still do laundry in the dark.

I got into the habit of flipping on the kitchen light, which shines into the laundry room; and I keep doing that because I forget that I can flood the laundry room with light, now that the fixture is changed.

I tend to be the same way in my walk with the Lord.

I keep forgetting that the light has come into my life and changed me; I don't have to walk in the dark again. I don't have to tolerate those negative, self-defeating thoughts that lurk in my mind, or the shame that comes from wrong choices. I don't have to compare myself to others, trying to manufacture self-worth by what I do and how well. 

The Christmas season can bring pain and sadness. Relationships are hard, and loss is painful. But nothing can put out the Light of Jesus! The work He has done—what was manifested at His birth and finished at His death and Resurrection—is complete. No amount of pain and suffering and loss can take that perfect gift from us. 

If we turn to the Light, we don't have to live in the dark anymore.

"What came into existence was Life,
    and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
    the darkness couldn’t put it out," (John 8:4-5 MSG).

Merry Christmas!