It's that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) time of the year again! I don't like the dark, and I'm longing for the days when they get longer again.

I've been using my light therapy lamp since the beginning of November. It's become part of my daily quiet time in the mornings. I sit in my comfy recliner, turn on the light, and for the next 30 minutes, I do my daily readings and say my prayers.

One morning as I was reading, I briefly glanced over at the blue light, and I was enlightened. Not only was I gaining the benefit of the light therapy, but I was also benefitting from the message of Jesus, who is the Light of the world. We live in a dark world. Jesus is the Light who shines in our darkness. He is our hope in this dark and troubled world. He is the One who came to bring us out of darkness and into His glorious light.

John 8:12 – Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." (MSG)

John 12:46 – I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (NIV)

2 Samuel 22:29 – O Lord, you are my light! You make my darkness bright. (TLB)

Psalm 18:28 – You have turned on my light! The Lord my God has made my darkness turn to light. (TLB)

John 1:5 – The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (NIV 2011)

Just as the lack of daylight can cause symptoms of depression and fatigue, so the lack of reading God's Word daily can cause us to fall into the darkness of sin and despair.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV 2011)

Reading God's Word daily gives us hope and can strengthen our faith. As we read, our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed. The more time that we spend reading the Bible, the more that we will know God, and Christ's light will shine in us and through us, and turn our darkness into light.

Have you seen the light? Or are you still stumbling around in the darkness?

Prayer: Father, sometimes life can be overwhelming, filled with darkness and despair. May the light of Jesus shine in the darkness of winter and in the brokenness of the world around us. May Your face shine upon those who need light in their darkness today. Help us to understand what it means for us to be lights for the world. May the light of Your Son shine through us, so that others can see our good works and glorify You. May His light shine in us and fill us with hope, joy, love, and peace, that we might be His faithful followers. We pray this in His holy name. Amen.

Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the world's light — a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father. (TLB)

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Dee Renaud <dee.renaud@outlook.com>
Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada
Send your feedback to the author