“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
One bright spring day my family chose to spend the afternoon deep in the earth. We were enjoying a tour in the world’s longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave in south central Kentucky. As we entered a huge open space called “Methodist Church,” the guide explained how the area had been used in the 1800s for church services.
At this point our guides demonstrated how little illumination a single oil lantern provides, the only source of light available during that time period. As an April Fools’ joke, they informed us that the rest of the tour would be conducted in this way. The electric lights were switched off, and fifty people immediately crowded as close as possible to the guide holding the solitary lantern.
All of us breathed one big collective sigh of relief when we figured out that our guides had only been teasing. The lights came back on and we resumed our tour. But my thoughts kept returning to that instinctive movement we all made the instant the lights went off. I wondered if I do the same thing in everyday life. When I can’t seem to find my way out of a problem or trial, do I automatically draw near to the One who called Himself the Light of the World?
Jesus promised that as long as I follow Him, He will provide all the light I need to guide me on my journey. Life will take some unexpected turns. I won’t always understand what is happening or why God allows certain things. But I have Jesus’ words and His life portrayed in the Scriptures. And I have His continuing presence to lead me. No need to stumble around in the darkness when I can draw near to His light.
Faith Step: Are you struggling with a difficult problem or situation? Ask Jesus to shed His light on that area of your life.
