In the summer of 2009, I joined my campus ministry for a missionary journey to a village in Ghana. For the first time in my adult life, I experienced real darkness. The community had no lights and after we turned off the generator that gave lights for the evening services, no one could see the other. The darkness was so intense that I could barely feel it around me. I asked myself on the first night, ” how do the villagers survive?” By the fifth night, my body had adjusted to the darkness. I was not worried about it anymore. This story reminds me of our state when we dwell in sin. At first, we feel guilty about our actions, but if we don’t stop, it becomes normal for us. The Bible describes sin as darkness (John 8:12). Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.(Psalms 119:105) The word of God illuminates our paths. God’s word is a lamp that directs our ways. While we stayed in this dark village, one of us had an accident at night and had to be rushed to the hospital in the nearest town. This person stumbled in the dark and was hurt. We are unable to see obstacles in the darkness. Our feet can walk into danger when we are unable to see. The word of God is a light on paths and we are able to see the road through the light of God’s word. Nothing is hidden from us. The truth is made bare in the light. Jesus prayed for God to sanctify His followers by the truth; “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Light and darkness cannot dwell at the same time. In fact we have day (light) and night (darkness). “And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. (John 1:5 AMPC). Those who have fellowship with God, do not walk in darkness (sin). 1 John 1 explains this clearly, God is light and in Him is no darkness. If we are the children of God, we are the children of light and this light illuminates our paths. The children of light have no union with darkness. Our standard of living is the word of God. Finally, Peter reminds us that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Are you operating in the kingdom principles of God? Let your light shine so men may see and glorify your Father in heaven.
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