We don’t expect to see in the dark. In fact we have switches that flood rooms with light, placed strategically around our homes, so that at any hour of the day we can walk around and do what needs doing without stumbling, falling or missing our target.
Darkness makes things harder.
Darkness changes our perception and misrepresents what is obvious in the light.
In dealing with an old acquaintance I tried to communicate love, acceptance, understanding and even repentance. I was received with paranoia, accusations and fear. I questioned and ultimately blamed myself for poor communication, but on further observation and much prayer I came to realize the blame wasn’t all mine. It was the darkness.
If I held out my arms to someone across a room and said, “I’m here!” but they can’t see me because they are in darkness, I won’t be accepted. My voice might be heard, but the darkness determines what they interpret as my intention. They might even try to approach the sound of my voice, but bang their legs on obstacles they can’t see in the dark. What I may have intended as a kindness is received as a challenge, a futility or even a trap. Suddenly, I’m an enemy when all I wanted was to be a friend.
When we reach out to the lost, are we calling from our vantage point and expecting them to reach us, or are we venturing into the shadows to guide them to the light?
The darkness will determine what they receive from us, until they are able to see the light.
It is a spiritual deception and it is the lie that tells men to fear the voice of truth.
John said in his gospel, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
You can shout love from the mountain tops, but if the darkness interprets your words, the hearer will only understand you to want something for yourself.
We can’t simply be kind. We must bring light. we can’t simply open our arms, we must reach out with light.
It is only in the light of Christ that we can see light, goodness, cheerfulness, love, for what it is.
Psalm 36:9 “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”
We are perplexed by the reaction to light by those in the dark, but they do not know they are in darkness. He came to show us what light is. He came to expose the darkness.
Isaiah prophesied:
“The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” Isaiah 9:2-3
Just as we cannot bring our own works to the altar and expect to earn our salvation, neither can we bring our good works to the lost and expect them to see light in it. We can only bring Christ in both circumstances if we want to dispel darkness.
Praying, reading the Word, knowing Him is the only way to effectively be in the light. It is the only way to speak light and bring the countenance of Christ to those who dwell in darkness. In His light, they will see light and it will destroy the dark.