Overcoming Darkness with the Light of Christ
Darkness VS light: What is keeping you from standing up and stepping out?
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.1.5.NIV
1. What Does Light Represent in Scripture?
That verse reminds us that no matter how overwhelming the darkness feels, the light of Christ cannot be overcome.
2. The Vantablack and the Brightest Flashlight: A Lesson in Overcoming Darkness
I watched a video where this guy took 2 items. The first was the brightest flashlight he could buy. The second item was covered with the darkest material created on earth, “Vantablack”. Vantablack absorbs 99.965% of visible light. The video goes on to have him test different brightness levels working his way up to the brightest flashlight. Up until a certain point, there was no reflection or any way to show that the light was on. Once he finally got to the brightest light, then you could see that the light was on. Prior to using the brightest light, the object covered in Vantablack was absorbing all the light; not allowing any type of reflection. As I watched the video I could not help but think that no matter the darkness, no matter what issue we are going through. Jesus shines bright, He shines true, and nothing can hold back his brilliant radiant glorious light.
We can be burdened by the weight of life, the stress of a job, family, the desire to succeed, or the need to fill a void that porn, alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, or other religions could not fulfill for you. Vantablack absorbs nearly all visible light, making it the darkest material on earth. Yet even this darkness can’t withstand the brightest flashlight. Similarly, no matter the weight of life’s burdens—be it stress, addiction, or despair—Christ’s light shines true and penetrates the darkest moments. None of those things can ever take place like having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each persons testimony and relationship with Jesus is different because that’s their relationship. We can share our testimony and experiences, but you can never duplicate that because that’s for them. You have to take time to invest in your relationship with Him and see what He has in store for you. I can tell you, you will not regret having a deep impactful relationship with Jesus. He tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. But, what we need to hear, He tells us in a soft still voice, a caring loving manner that brings correction and draws your to Him seeking guidance, forgiveness, repentance, and joy.
Just like the brightest flashlight overcame Vantablack, Christ’s light penetrates and permeates even the darkest moments in our lives.
3. What Can We Learn from Black Holes About God’s Power?
Another example I read about was a singularity. If you know anything about black holes is that are….black. They are black because no visible light can escape its incredibly inescapable gravitational pull. In order for scientists to “see” a black hole; they have to look at what at what is orbitting around it. Due to the gravitational pull, black holes by nature draw matter towards its center as it consumes all that’s in its wake. So scientist are able to “see” a black hole by looking at what is surrounding it and being pulled to the dark center. Thus the black hole is “seen”. They can also take numerous pictures from a telescope over a period of time and see that matter is orbiting a void, the void is usually a blackhole.
What was remarkable about the article was that something had escaped the gravity of a blackhole. Scientist were observing all spectrums of light and they caught something shooting out of the gravity field; I believe it was an X-ray band of light. That being said, after reading the article I had similar thought as before. As dark as a black hole is, due to no visible light being able to escape because of the gravity and its mass. They do not compare to the creator. The creator of the heavens and the earth. God is light, and not even a black hole, that He created, can hold him from showing his glory to all.
Even in the vastness of space, where black holes consume everything, God’s light is powerful enough to shine through. This shows His unparalleled glory and strength. It doesn’t matter what you have consumed or conducted in the past. You have a God who loves each and every one of us because He created us. He has a plan for each and every one of us; if we just answer the call. If we would just turn off the distractions and ask for help, you may just find what you’ve been searching for, you may find that void filled with a joy and love you’ve never felt.
Read 1st Samuel Chapter 3 “The Lord Calls Samuel”
let me know in the comments below:
How it relates to you?
What stood out to you?
How could this example help you?
4. Seeing Through Darkness: Night Vision and God’s Guidance
If you have ever used a pair of NVGs, Night vision goggles. But if you have ever been in an area of complete darkness that even the goggles are little help. The lightest of lights show up so bring in those NVGs. A watch face, definitely a flash light, but even the smallest flash of someone who might have a cigarette will show up on the goggles. If you are in a tactical environment, that little bit of light will give away your position. Even in complete darkness, the smallest light is enough to guide us and reveal the path. In the same way, Christ’s light in our lives can lead us down the path of righteousness, even when we feel surrounded by darkness.
5. What happens when we let God’s light shine in our lives? Everything changes!
When the light is turned on, we can see what was previously unseen
When the light is turned on, you can see areas of opportunity in our lives
When the light is turned on, we can feel guilt for or inequities
When the light is turned on, people see and they know who the one true God is. They see and know the light of Jesus who is the light of the world.
When God’s light shines, the unseen is revealed, hidden sin is exposed, and lives are transformed. As John 8:12 says, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
6. Stepping into the Light: Living as a Child of God
The world is trying to put so much distraction, darkness, so much confusion, and division out there that wherever you are you are shielded from the glory of God and eventually completely covered in darkness. But that can’t happen, because we are filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace. We are His chosen people to bring the message of the good news, the gospel to all people, to bring it to every nation. Disciple in its simplest of terms is “Student” and Discipleship is “making students”.
Things feel cold because heat absent
Things appear dark because light is absent
There is evil because there is an absence of Jesus in our lives.
In our minds we have our failures, sins, our deepest darkest events on replay. That is meant to keep us distracted. To make us beleive that we are failures, not good enough, not worthy of forgiveness. But Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. Do you know what Jesus does when we bring up these failures in true repentance? He says your sins are forgiven. I have washed you clean and thrown them away as far as the east is from the west. Satan calls out your sins and claims you have no name and name way to Jesus. Jesus knows your name and forgives your sins when you ask and repent.
Don’t let the darkness distract or discourage you. As a child of God, you are called to step into the light, boldly living out your faith and sharing His message of hope and salvation with the world.
Are you ready to step into the light and live boldly for Christ?
“Pray continually” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
seek Him always - Matthew 6:33
and let His light shine through you - 2 Corinthians 4:6
If this message inspired you, share it with a friend or leave a comment below about how God’s light has transformed your life.
-RWA
Links
Www.cocoafirstassembly.com
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.1.1-5
Blackhole YouTube short⬇️
https://youtube.com/shorts/avkxXNGv9LU?si=cVUEm1hDMtr8mKaO
Vantablack demonstration ⬇️
https://youtu.be/AaFdCvnV8PM?si=iNU4-8Jf9NqeYV_P
