Do you enjoy nature? I sure do! While I was stuck inside all day, working remotely the last few years for a technology company, I decided to put a bookshelf under my window and grow some plants. I’d read somewhere that if you can’t get out in nature, the next best solution is to have living green things sharing your space. There’s a funny thing about my plants, though. I have to keep turning their pots periodically to keep them from getting lopsided. They all are stretching to get to the window, their source of light.
Were they left in darkness, they wouldn’t grow. Worse than that, they’d languish and eventually die. It’s the same way with us. The world may seem a dark and growth-stunting place at times, but every day, as surely as the sun rises, we have an opportunity to turn towards light.
Psalm 119:105 tells us God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Jesus, the Word made flesh, called Himself the light of the world (John 8:12). God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).
Just like plants, we need light to grow. When we engage with God and His Word we grow. My plants never extend themselves towards my computer, my phone, or some other place in the room. They are focused on getting to the light, because that’s what keeps their chlorophyll and their little food factory humming. If they maintain that focus, life is good.
Lies carry darkness. Likewise, when we are overcome by cares of the world, it’s like closing the blinds. Truth is light. The psalmist in Psalm 43:3 asks God, “Send out Your light, and Your truth, let them lead me.” The devil and the world barrage us with fear and lies every day, and if that is our diet, if that’s what we set our minds on, it will kill us as surely as leaving a plant in a dark room would do it in (see Romans 8:6).
I find that I need heavy doses of truth coming in. Death’s pallor gives way to vibrant health when we bask in the light of the truth! Along with time spent reading my Bible, I listen to excellent scriptural teaching every day. Lately, I’ve especially enjoyed Barry Bennett’s Free Indeed series, which you can watch (without annoying ads), by downloading the GTN (Gospel Truth Network) app to your phone, tablet, or smart TV, and browsing for that title.
Bringing light into our darkness is as easy as flipping a switch. We can simply decide to change our focus. We can set our minds on things above instead of on the world’s noise or our circumstances (Colossians 3:2). We can tune into truth and let that shine into our hearts. God promises that if we seek Him and His kingdom first, He’ll meet all our other needs, so we’ve got nothing to lose, and much to gain!
