"...God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 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 1:5-7
There were 2 times in my life when I truly experienced total darkness. Once was in the "Mammoth Caves" in Kentucky but today I'm going to share with you the other time that I experience total darkness. I was in my late teens and I was on a canoe retreat trip with my church youth group. It was in the beautiful wilderness of the "Muskokas" in "Algonquin" Park. It was rustic camping and on 1 of the nights during this canoe trip there was a lunar eclipse . These woods are dense and many miles away from any town or city - no street lights of any kind. Normally, at night in the woods - the moon is sufficient to provide the necessary nocturnal guidance. However, when there is a lunar eclipse it becomes darker than dark, blacker than black - it was terrifying! Suddenly the outdoors became closed in and caused me to feel claustrophobic and I felt like I was suffocating! I clung to my flashlight all night long - I knew who was in the tent with me but somehow everything became strange & frightening. I normally don't mind the darkness - I like a rainy day or a dark blizzard but this was different. Walking around without a flashlight or campfire was impossible. Most of my peers at the time found it "cool" or funny - I didn't - I found it petrifying.
This account of my "darkness" experience is the same as what it would be like to feel spiritual darkness. In this Bible passage today we see that "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." No darkness at all - never will there be any darkness with God. In the dark there can be no planning, no living, no advancement - no hope! The other point of this passage today is that we can't lie about our fellowship with Jesus. If we tell others "Oh yes, I'm a Christian" but then lead a secular and sinful life, then our "walk" will tell the truth - our actions will show others if we are truly walking with God. God is our beacon of light that guides us through life's darkest times. We as Christians can also be a spiritual flashlight to the world - God's love will shine through us! We can draw from this "spiritual flashlight" by praying, studying God's Word and having fellowship with other believers. And by the way, the batteries in this "spiritual flashlight" will never die - there is enough light to go around forever and enough light for everyone!
1 John 1:5-7
There were 2 times in my life when I truly experienced total darkness. Once was in the "Mammoth Caves" in Kentucky but today I'm going to share with you the other time that I experience total darkness. I was in my late teens and I was on a canoe retreat trip with my church youth group. It was in the beautiful wilderness of the "Muskokas" in "Algonquin" Park. It was rustic camping and on 1 of the nights during this canoe trip there was a lunar eclipse . These woods are dense and many miles away from any town or city - no street lights of any kind. Normally, at night in the woods - the moon is sufficient to provide the necessary nocturnal guidance. However, when there is a lunar eclipse it becomes darker than dark, blacker than black - it was terrifying! Suddenly the outdoors became closed in and caused me to feel claustrophobic and I felt like I was suffocating! I clung to my flashlight all night long - I knew who was in the tent with me but somehow everything became strange & frightening. I normally don't mind the darkness - I like a rainy day or a dark blizzard but this was different. Walking around without a flashlight or campfire was impossible. Most of my peers at the time found it "cool" or funny - I didn't - I found it petrifying.
This account of my "darkness" experience is the same as what it would be like to feel spiritual darkness. In this Bible passage today we see that "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." No darkness at all - never will there be any darkness with God. In the dark there can be no planning, no living, no advancement - no hope! The other point of this passage today is that we can't lie about our fellowship with Jesus. If we tell others "Oh yes, I'm a Christian" but then lead a secular and sinful life, then our "walk" will tell the truth - our actions will show others if we are truly walking with God. God is our beacon of light that guides us through life's darkest times. We as Christians can also be a spiritual flashlight to the world - God's love will shine through us! We can draw from this "spiritual flashlight" by praying, studying God's Word and having fellowship with other believers. And by the way, the batteries in this "spiritual flashlight" will never die - there is enough light to go around forever and enough light for everyone!
Remember to shine your spiritual flashlight before you make any steps in life - God is light & He will safely guide you.
Linked to:
Adorned from Above
Faith Filled Fridays
Linked to:
Adorned from Above
Faith Filled Fridays
As we study the things of God we learn more about true light. Real light, light from God, is alien to us from birth. Growing in the Lord brings more knowledge and understanding of His light.
ReplyDeleteI love this scripture reference and it's one that I quote every day.
I will remember to shine my christian flash light Angie. Thanks for sharing this experience, we must shine our lights because the days are evil, it is going to get worse for the "world" because these are the last days, but we can hope in our God.
ReplyDeleteThank God He never leaves us alone, He is a reliable father.
Following you from the weekend walk, have a super blessed week!
http://www.ugochi-jolomi.com
What a vivid lesson today! Thanks, Angie ... Blessing to you & may you walk in the Light this week ~Cousin V. x
ReplyDeleteHi Angie,
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful and so true. I love the analogy of the flashlight and God's light. You are correct God is our spiritual flashlight, and he will lead if we follow. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com