“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5
This week was a really hard week for me. And I find it funny that I went through one of the darkest periods of my life while I’m in the middle of studying a plan about letting your light shine.
But even though it sounds contradictory I feel like the Lord was really showing me the importance of letting our light shine even in the darkness.
Many times we think the darkness is just outside. All of the evil, confusion, and deception of the world. Which yes there is a lot of and yes we are called to shine in those places. But what about when the darkness lies within?
The Darkness
It can be easy to put on a smile and do all of the things. You can even be preaching the word of the Lord and praying for others but experiencing a decline in your mental health and an increase in spiritual warfare.
I think this is a topic we don’t talk about enough. Which is the reason why people are living in so many secret but showing up to church on Sunday like nothing is going on. But the problem is that even though you may be able to fool people, God knows the heart.
He knows that even though your lamp is bright in front of the crowd that it’s dull in your home.
And I think sometimes we forget where our first ministry is. In Matthew 6:6 it says:
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Which indicates that our private life is just as if not more important than our public one.
And I know this might not be applicable to everyone but I am writing this for the person that feels like they have to wear a mask everywhere only to come home and wipe it off. I’m talking to the person who knows, sees, and believes in the power of God but is experiencing fatigue in their spirit.
I believe that even though this week has been tough for me the Lord allows us to go through certain things so that we are able to uplift our brothers and sisters but also to uplift and revive our faith.
So as I write this please know I am not preaching at you but journeying with you.
Overcome
I know it can be hard to believe that you have a light to shine when it looks like darkness is all around. But I love how my Pastor preached last week that it’s in the darkness that the light shines the brightest.
So even in the times when you feel like you barely have the strength to get yourself out of bed remember that when we are weak He is made strong.1
And even though he has called you to be the salt of the Earth and to let your light shine, it is His light who will shine through you.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
So you may not know or even feel like it but as you grow closer to him he will give you the strength to stand. As Matthew 6:332 reminds us that as we seek Him all these other things will come with it. But first we must fix our eyes on Him and walk in His way.
The Light
And I know this can be easier said than done but when we realize that He is the light, He is the Truth, the Life, and the Way. It is His Spirit that is at work in us. It is His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control that we seek.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
The more that we realize we are simply just a vessel we are able to come to Him humbly and admit that we don’t have it all figured out.
That this burden feels awfully heavy, but he promises us that this burden is light. 3If it’s anything but that you might be carrying more than what he’s asked you to do.
I’m going to share the link to a story that truly changed my perspective about a man and the immovable rock.
I highly suggest you read it but my main take away was that even though we may feel the pressure and the weight of the world at times He never asked asked us to move the rock, he just asked us to be obedient even in the little that he has called us to.
It is Him that will make it all move and that is the trust, hope, and confidence that we have.
So even in the midst of hardship meditate on His truth. And don’t let the enemy blind you to the fact that you hold the light that overcomes the darkness.
Let your light shine.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Congratulations on making it to the last day of the ‘Let Your Light Shine’ Bible Plan Series!
If this is the first of the four posts you are seeing you can catch up here. But regardless I pray that this plan helped you first and foremost accept the calling of the Lord. But also to come to the understanding that you are not called to do this by yourself. He is with you and He will guide you on this journey. It is His light that will shine in you.
Additional Resources
freedom. 
Leave a comment