The Light of Life

I loved coaching my children when they played youth sports.  I remember when my son was about 12 years old, his basketball team from Granite Falls was playing an away game at Dudley Shoals.  When building their gym, they installed a cheaper floor: tile instead of hardwood.  During warm-ups, I instructed my son to “sneak up” for his 3-point attempt during the game (that is, act like he’s more interested in passing than in shooting).  To execute this properly, I told him to be aware of his position on the floor while keeping his head up.  When he approached the three-point line, if he was open, he would take the shot when he was two tile lines away from the 3-point line.  Because Kris was an excellent shooter, imagine my surprise when he looked me in the eye and said, "Dad, what tile lines are you talking about?"  First, I pointed, then I reached down to touch the crack where two tiles met. “This line,” I said.  To my horror, I discovered he could not see it at all.  I feel so sorry for people who will never see a sunrise, sunset, or rainbow.  It’s sad that people either can’t or have difficulty seeing God’s creation, but what is much worse is not being able to see truth!  Jesus said…

John 8:12 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Darkness = spiritual blindness, and Light = spiritual sight.  If you have accepted Christ, it’s only because God gave you light to see yourself as a sinner. John said…

1 John 1:5-7 

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we are NOT focused on Jesus and His word… we will walk in darkness.  That’s when we make the worst mistakes.  That’s when we damage relationships.  That’s when we damage people.  That’s when we sin against God and ourselves.  But if we walk in the light…. What?  Then we have fellowship, and relationships are healed.  We see and confess our sins, receiving forgiveness. 

Also, if we are in the light – if we see spiritually – we will notice things.  We will hear God’s voice. We will know (discern) God’s leading.  What others see as problems, we will see as opportunities.  We will know when God is near.

Thank God for the Light of Life,

-Joe