This morning as I read the first chapter in the Gospel of John, the words and the darkness has not overcome it jumped off the page. We can read the same scripture over and over, and yet sometimes the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts, enabling us to see something that we had not seen before or perhaps now see it in a different way. That is what happened to me this morning
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5
The darkness has not overcome it.
We have entered into a New Year, and this may be the year that we all need to think about these words of scripture. Jesus Christ entered into the world as light; not as a North Star….but as THE LIGHT from which all lights emanate. He broke through all darkness; not just 2,000 years ago but today, every day. Any time we are feeling overwhelmed and call on the name of Jesus, our dark places are blinded by His light. There is absolutely no place where the darkness has the ability to exist when Christ is invited into that space through prayer, trust and belief. When we call on His name, He doesn’t say, “Call back later, I am busy.” Or, “hold that thought, I will process what you are asking.” Instead, He says:
Your darkness cannot stand against the light I am bringing to you right now.
It’s inconceivable that the God of the Universe, the Son of Man, Son of God, through His Holy Spirit, stops in His tracks and answers our prayers. He answers them with:
And again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Everything we face in this world can be penetrated by the light of Christ bringing hope. Perhaps you are facing a trial that cannot be fixed or a trial that persists even though you keep praying. Christ stands in the midst of your trial and brings His light. The darkness cannot take you down.
Why is it so difficult for us to see the hope in His coming, the hope of the Holy Spirit indwelling? I believe it is because we cannot comprehend it; it’s too glorious, too ethereal and too much to hope for. Scripture describes:
I tried to understand all that happens on earth. I saw how busy people are working day and night and hardly ever sleeping. I also saw all that God has done. Nobody can understand what God does here on earth. No matter how hard people try to understand it, they cannot. (Ecclesiastes 8:16)
I remember when I was a little girl, my mother telling me that we cannot understand the infinite God with our finite mind. I was awestruck that there is a God so big and powerful who chases the dark away when we call on His name.
Jesus is the light of the world, and anytime you invite Him in, He will bring you hope in the darkness.
Joanne
