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To Enlighten Our Darkness

The darkness is fading away. Really.

Do Thou, Christ, deign to kindle our lamps, our Saviour most sweet to us, that they may shine continually in Thy temple, and receive perpetual light from Thee, the Light perpetual, so that our darkness may be enlightened, and yet the world’s darkness may be driven from us.

  - Columbanus, Sermon XII, Irish, 7th century[1]

Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.


  - 1 John 2.8

The darkness is passing away?

Some of us may have a hard time believing that statement, given everything we see happening in the world. But if we don’t believe John’s word, it’s only because we don’t have a large enough perspective to see the entire field of reality, the course of history, and our own lives the way God does. We see things from a moment in time, downwards to upwards. God sees everything – all the moments of all time – in one all-comprehending glance, upwards from downwards. When we see from God’s perspective, seated with Christ at the Father’s right hand, things look dramatically different.

When the light of Jesus Christ burst brilliantly out of that garden tomb, a power for progressive righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit was unleashed on the earth, a power nothing has ever been able to stop, nor ever will (Rom. 14.17, 18; Dan. 2.44, 45; Is. 9.6, 7).

Even from his exile on the Island of Patmos, John could see that the forces of darkness were doomed. Jesus, ruling at the Father’s right hand, is turning His glorious light on the darkness everywhere, and the darkness is in careening retreat.

Undoubtedly you can see this in your own life. The coming of Christ into your soul began a work of light-bringing that has brought about many changes in your outlook, attitudes, priorities, and practices. The work is not complete, of course, nor will it ever be in this life.

But if we truly know Jesus, and have His Spirit dwelling in us, there will be evidence of the darkness decamping our souls and lives. To which we say, “Good riddance.”

And you can see it as well in your Personal Mission Field, as you bring the light of hope, righteousness, peace, and joy to the people to whom God sends you each day.

Each of us is a microcosm of the world. The darkness of sin, unbelief, and the fear of death has been steadily receding in the world since that resurrection morning; and it will continue to pass away until the Lord Jesus comes in all His brilliant glory to destroy the darkness once and for all. It may not always be apparent to us, but the darkness is on the run, and the Light of the world is in hot pursuit.

Our calling is to receive the light and to shine it on others: “This little light of mine...” As we do, we become powerful forces in the hand of the Lord, as He continues the work of humbling the devil and lighting up the enemy’s formerly gloomy domain with beauty, goodness, and truth.

Look at the world through God’s eyes. Look at your life and your daily calling from your position seated with Christ at the right hand of God (Eph. 2.6). See the light He is shining in you and through you into your Personal Mission Field. Then multiply that by millions like yourself.

The darkness cannot resist such light. But we must not hide our light under some bushel of fear, doubt, unbelief, or neglect. Let the light of Christ shine in and through you, and watch what God can do.

For Reflection
1. On whom will Jesus shine His light through you today? Are you ready?

2. Give thanks to the Lord for the ways His Light has increased in you, and pray that He will illumine more of the remaining darkness.

Psalm 9.11-13 (Diademata: Crown Him with Many Crowns)
Praise then the Lord of Zion, declare His deeds abroad!
Praise Judah’s mighty saving Lion, the ever-blessèd God!
His blood has washed us clean; He hears our plaintive cries,
He good to us has ever been and lifts us to the skies!

Lord, if I really believe that you are rolling back the darkness, then I should be earnest and eager for…

A help for your spiritual palate

If you need encouragement or assistance in learning to delight in God’s Word, I encourage you to order a copy of our book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Here you’ll learn how to feed on Scripture with increasing joy and fruitfulness. Order your copy by clicking here.

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T. M. Moore
Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

[1] Walker, p. 115.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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