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

What is darkness, but the absence of light? What is sin, but the absence of Christ?

Over and over again, Jesus points the way to God through him. Over and over again, he tells us that the only way to be with God is to accept what he has already done for us. That’s it. He holds a free gift extended to us in his scarred hands. Yet, over and over again, so many of us turn away, choosing to remain in darkness.

What hinders us from stepping into this light? It is so easy to see. Even from afar, we see it so brightly. This very light beckons us, even as we reject it. If we turn our backs on it and run, it casts a shadow over our shoulders reminding us that it pursues us, always.

Why? What keeps so many of us in the darkness?

Perhaps it is that the light is blinding and too much to endure. Streaming in on the rays is the glory of God, exposing the purpose we have been missing, illuminating the path from which we have wandered so far. It hurts our eyes to know that we are so blind. So we shield our vision and proceed on our self-lead way, continuing to fumble and fall in the darkness of our more comfortable misconceptions. Pride.

Perhaps it is too revealing to stand in the light. The light exposes what we have done. If we remain in the darkness, yet do works of the light, perhaps others will believe that we, too, are in the light and have no dark deeds to hide. Shame.

Perhaps it is too easy. Maybe we have done so many terrible things, that surely we must work our way to God to make up for them. Guilt.

Perhaps it is time to stop running, turn around and step into the light of the life that is Jesus Christ our Savior. In the light, Christ shows you that he knows what you have done, and he died for you anyway. He shows you what great pride the Father takes in you as his adopted son by bleaching your stains white. He shows you rest and renewed strength.

He reveals to you your ultimate purpose, which is to give glory to the light of the world.

“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
— John 12:36

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
— Numbers 6:24-26