The Lights On

Daylight is a beautiful thing if you think about it, which most of us don’t. Every day the sun comes up, and we have light, but we seldom ever think about the fact that we can see. It is just one of those things, like breathing, that you don’t spend time thinking about. In the light, we become aware and can move about without fear of bumping into things. It is what the light shows us that we see, not the light itself.

The same is true for those who call themselves success-minded Christians. Once we have “come into the light,” we see things in ourselves that we never before noticed. Attitudes and old habits that were always there but never noticed seem to be very noticeable now. We see this in our surroundings as well. Things that once meant nothing to us or were attractive are now bothersome and repulsive. Funny that our first reaction is that there is something wrong with us. The truth is, there is something right with us.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it,

but because by it I see everything else.”

C.S. Lewis

1898-1963

Author

The Bible in the book of 1 John chapter one tells us that “God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all.” We see the sin that is in us and the world around us because He has shed light on what was once in darkness. It has always been there; we just never saw it before. Or at least we did not see it for what it is…sin. As Henry David Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see.”

There is good news here as well. That same portion of Scripture in 1 John goes on to tell us that “if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” God has not revealed our sin to make us feel bad about ourselves, but to cleanse it by the sacrifice of His own Son Jesus. Evangelist, Leonard Ravenhill said, “Our God is a consuming fire. He consumes pride, lust, materialism, and other sins.”

As a success-minded Christian, enjoy the light that God has placed you in. See what is around you and be wise. Know where to walk and what to avoid. That is the advantage of light, you know. Do not become judgmental or critical of those around you who may still be stumbling in the dark. You are no better, just forgiven. Help them come into the light and see what is around them as well.

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines

brighter and brighter until the full day.”

Proverbs 4:18

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   

© 2020 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.