Darkness or Light?

​When I was younger, my brothers and I had a sleepover with our cousins. Somehow, I got completely turned around in my sleeping bag. It was terrifyingly dark and anxiety inducing.

​Thankfully, my uncle heard my cries for help, and I escaped with matted hair, a good story and no worse for the wear.
 
Unfortunately, I cannot say that about all my experiences. Some filled me with darkness. Weighty moments I didn’t know how to carry. Fatigued, without knowing how to cope, I broadened my shoulders and absorbed the load.

Praised for my strength, I internalized:

• Anger and sadness from pregnancy losses;
• Loneliness from feeling abandoned by friends and misunderstood by loved ones during financial crisis;
• And the I-don’t-even-know-how-to-describe-it emotion during a high risk pregnancy followed by scary NICU situations with micro-preemies and two straight years of multiple weekly doctor and therapy appointments.

 
Maybe you have experienced darkness, too? I must admit, there were times the darkness was so strong, I felt like I was back in that sleeping bag, suffocating with no one coming to help. I think that is why, out of all the wonderful truths and beautiful pictures in Revelation, what stands out to me most, is that there will be no darkness.
 
None.
 
Not even any shadows. God’s glory will radiate so strongly, no place will be devoid of light. What a glorious promise eternal life holds! This thought used to be only mildly comforting for me, because eternity is for later, not now. But, as citizens of God’s kingdom, we can walk bathed in light today.
 
Though we will have to wait to experience the full splendor of Heaven, John records Jesus’s prayer to God the Father where He identifies eternal life as knowing God and believing Jesus as Christ.
 
Friends! This is great news. We can and do know Him now.
 
We have access to the Light now.
 
How? During my struggles, I had to choose beyond accepting Jesus as Redeemer. I had to give Him all access. Intentional thinking and remembering the goodness of God and how He gave it all so I could know Him was finally how my darkness began to break. Knowing God and being known by Him.
 
A simple concept, hard to implement, but possible. By being relational with God, beginning with belief in Jesus, we can allow the Holy Spirit to radiate light in our lives. And though the enemy may strike at our heels we can crush his head every time.
 
This is after all, what God wanted from the moment of creation: for us to walk with Him, warmed by His light. Unhindered, unashamed, and unrestrained. To know His love for us, and to return it to Him, fully available to His blessings.
 
The Biblical account comes full circle, the curse broken, our debt paid in full, and creation restored to its original design. The “Light” once again returns to earth. Knowing this, we can live victoriously in that light even while we await the day when once again mankind will dwell with our Victor. Fully restored and full of promise, for the future and the present.
 
Will you make a choice to let go of darkness and live in His light today?

Memory Verse: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV

About the Author

Hi, I'm Martha Rudolph! I have been married for 14 years to my husband, John. We live Northwest of Atlanta with our four children. Our family is on a journey that continues to teach me about God's love and faithfulness on the mountaintop, in the valley, and everywhere in between. I love being outside, sipping coffee, and finding quiet moments to steal away and write about how God reveals Himself through the course of everyday life. Connect with Martha at her blog: www.martharudolph.weebly.co

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