Living in the Light

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 NLT)

Imagine that you have always lived underground with a whole community of people. Everything is dark except for some artificial lights installed by those who lived before you. You have gotten accustomed to the stale air, the cold, and the dampness. Yet, you sense there is something better. You seek a way out. Finally one day, you break through the ground and encounter sunlight for the first time. Everything feels different.

Many of us live underground--under the power of human influence. Our beliefs and actions are dominated by worldly circumstances and attitudes. We get accustomed to this oppressive environment filled with each other’s noxious excretions. Then one day, we realize that we can’t accomplish anything good on our own. We need a higher power. We break out of our limited underground kingdom, built on human wisdom, and into God’s sphere of influence. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get sucked back down into the familiar, subterranean life. The muck feels comfortable, while the bright light is a bit unnerving.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1  John 1:7 MSG)

Lord, we can’t accomplish anything good on our own. We need You. Please draw us up to Your light and keep us from getting pulled back down into the darkness.