What a beautiful sight! I know that you, like me, will probably take a family drive through that special neighborhood where all the residents are fanatics about Christmas lights. Maybe this family ritual would get old except the opportunity only comes once a year. We were more excited about it when my children were small. But I must admit that we still enjoy it now that they have grown up. We slowly drive down the street looking and pointing from side to side as if any of us are in danger of missing something.
Maybe you live in that neighborhood and take a special pride in the large number of strangers that take slow drives down your street in this season, even though the same thing at any other time would make you suspicious. But it’s ok now because you know that people are drawn to the lights. It is kind of funny when you think about how similar we are to the bugs that are drawn to your regular porch light.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could obey that instinct concerning The Light, The Lord Jesus Christ? That would make evangelism easy! We wouldn’t have to “seek and save the lost.” We could just turn on the Light and all would come. Well the Light is still on and He is shining in the believer. Let your light shine!
In reality, though, some come to the light and some don’t.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Even the ones who already have light sometimes squint at greater light. The truth is that the Lord is reaching out to all of us, believers and unbelievers alike, endeavoring to bring us more Light. And where there is light there is Life! John 10:10 says that Jesus came that we might have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. If we want to experience that Life we must stop running from the Light.
How do we run from the light? Well, we make ourselves busy, we try to fill up the quiet times with activity making ourselves perpetually in a hurry, and we even add noise to the slow-down times. God wants to speak to us in a still small voice. But the enemy wants us to be too busy and stressed to hear Him. If we would hear Him, He would add light and life to us. But many of us end up running from the light.
Sometimes we run from the light unconsciously and sometimes subconsciously. In the former the enemy is exercising too much control and we, not paying attention, allow ourselves to get too busy for God. When we subconsciously run from the light, it is usually because we sense that God is telling us something and we fool ourselves into being afraid to hear from the only true lover of our soul. Or, we are afraid to find out that we have wasted a lot of time going down the wrong path. Or, we become afraid of the temporary feeling of disapproval, forgetting that we are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). Or, we are afraid of having to swallow our pride and admit that we were wrong about something. In any case, if and when we run, we are running from the light, running from life, running from joy, peace and happiness.
Let’s stop running and come to the Light. Jesus Christ is the Christmas Light!
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
This Holiday season watch out for the times you are too busy. This is the time we spend a lot of time with family and friends. But don’t forget to make regular time for your greatest Friend. And if you know God is trying to get your attention, stop and take a special drive through His neighborhood (your secret place) and hear what He has to say. The Lord Jesus Christ, “The Christmas Light”, will light your way to Abundant life!
Merry Christmas!!!
Pastor Derrick
