Jesus is the Light of the World. We say it. We sing it. Then we read it, and we proclaim it to others.

During the winter, I am more likely to reflect on the truth that Jesus is the light. Now that we have entered the season of Lent, my thoughts drift toward the dichotomy of light and dark that we read about in Scripture.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the light for His people. The world was fraught with division, heartache, and chaos. What looked like darkness to many became a glimmer as Jesus taught about love, peace, and grace.

Darkness will not win. Sin, shame, and guilt will try to destroy us, but Jesus came to earth. He is the Light.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5, NIV).

Jesus is here. The light is shining. Do you see it? Do you want it?

The second question is the one that gets us into trouble. Are we choosing the light over the darkness or vice versa?

I wonder if our choices cause us to hold onto the darkness. Or are we just naturally drawn to the darkness?

If the Light is Here, Why is There Still Darkness?

Years ago, sin entered the world when Adam and Eve made a choice. One decision changed the trajectory of the world. Life in the Garden of Eden would never be the same.

Our lives move at a fast pace and choices come at us multiple times per day. We may mix up our yeses and noes, but what I know is that whether my choice was conscious or unconscious, Jesus still notices. He knows the innermost places of our hearts and what we believe is hidden in the darkness is evident to the One who is the Light that overcame the darkness.

All it takes is one choice on our part to shift us into a place of darkness. We crave light in the dark days of winter, adorn our houses with candles and twinkle lights, and open the shades wide to let the light enter.

But what if instead, we craved Jesus, who is the Light of the World? How would that help us exchange our dark days for the brightness we truly desire?

If you believe Jesus is here, and you know that Jesus is the light of the world, then you can do your part to share this light with others. When God sent Jesus, it was a beginning. God chose you and me to carry on the work that began in His Son.

Darkness does not have to rule our hearts and minds. We have a Savior who is ready to show us His way. He is all we need in a world that tries to sway us toward the darkness.

In this messy world we live in, how do we choose the light of Jesus? The world presents us with what looks like easy ways to get what we want. Certainly, there are no strings attached. Right?

But what looks desirable on the outside might not be the best course of action for us. Only God knows what is beneficial for our lives.

How Do We Choose the Light of Jesus?

Choosing the light of Jesus requires intentionality and a determination to follow through in obedience. There may be hard days and other times it feels natural. It is always worth pursuing Jesus.

Here are some practical ways to choose the light of Jesus:

• Prayer – I know telling you to pray sounds basic. Let’s look at it this way–Jesus desires an invitation to spend time with us. He wants to hear our spoken or heart invitation to choose Him in the morning, noon, and evening. Jesus has already chosen us, but have we chosen Him? Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:16-18, NLT).
• Worship – I am learning the quickest way to dispel the darkness is to turn on worship music. I do this first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and many times when I am doing chores in the kitchen. It is freeing and productive to set our hearts back on the One who loves us unfailingly. Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy (Psalms 100:2, NLT).
• Read God’s Word – If you Google how many verses in the Bible are about the light of Christ, the answer is nineteen. If you change your search to how many Bible verses are about light, you will find 235 passages to peruse. Wow! God’s Word is filled with truth and light. It provides what we need to know Jesus is our Light and how we can combat the evil of darkness. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)

Final Word

We can take one step out of the dark into the light by choosing one of the above. All I know is that my body, mind, and spirit yearn for the light. It’s why summer is my favorite season. I keep twinkle lights up all year on my mantle. I spend time with God every morning, and worship music is my music of choice.

Jesus is the Light of the World and when we follow Him we will never walk in darkness. Will you choose the light over the darkness?

Equipping and empowering women to walk in faith!