Illuminating the Darkness

Devotional by Mike Uhlig

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

Unfortunately, we live in a world filled with darkness. During this present time God has granted Satan authority on this earth as a consequence to the sin we brought into it. Because of this there seems to be an overwhelming amount of pain and suffering around every corner that we turn. Our world today is plagued with physical diseases, mental health illnesses, poverty and homelessness, hunger, addiction, human trafficking, social injustices, wars, natural disasters, and the list could go on and on.

But fortunately there is hope, as we’ve been learning God is light and God uses us to reflect His light in the midst of darkness. If everything that is listed above is malicious and evil is illustrated as darkness, then the opposite would be everything good and pure illustrated as light. How incredibly redemptive that God chooses to use us, we who were once enemies of Him and vessels of darkness and makes us into holy lights that now shine into that very darkness.

Just as versus 15-16 explain, a lamp is never turned on and then covered by a blanket because it would defeat the purpose of the light. Consequently, we should never conceal the light within us, rather let it shine bright. Since we've been redeemed and carry the light of Christ, we're called to use this light for its intended purpose: illuminating the darkness.

In a similar way, as verse 14 explains, a city on a hill at night can be seen for miles and miles. The light in us should shine in such a way that is undeniable to others around us. The way we speak and act towards others should look radically different to those without the Light of Christ.

Questions for the day:

In what areas of your life are you concealing the light inside you? Where is the darkness that God is calling you to take your light in order to illuminate the love and salvation Jesus brings to darkness?