1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)

My neighbour recently dropped by for a visit. She had never been over to our place, even though we lived across the street from one another. As she and her little boy walked up our driveway, she was astounded at the amount of light that our house was receiving. Later on, as we visited inside, she once again remarked on how light our dwelling was in comparison to her home, which she likened to living in a cave.

Our home is built on a small rise, so it stands above a lot of the trees on the property. It also has huge windows throughout, both upstairs and downstairs. In comparison, her property sits lower, has few and small windows, is surrounded by towering trees, and has a low roof that shades the few windows that she does have. They are two houses on the same street, one that receives an abundance of light and one that dwells in darkness.

These two houses had no say in where or how they would be constructed. The builders made those decisions. But the people who eventually bought the houses did have a choice as to the way that they wanted to reside: with light or without it.

Likewise, we have a choice concerning how we wish to live spiritually. We may choose the light of God's love through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died upon a cross of shame so that by the shedding of His life's blood, atonement could be made for all of our wrongdoings, and so that the relationship between God and all who truly believe could be restored for eternity. By embracing this choice, we become children of light. Paul wrote this to the believers in Thessalonica:

1 Thessalonians 5:4a,5 – But you, brothers, are not in darkness … . You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (NIV)

Or we may choose to reject the One Who has stated, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12b NIV)

"The light of Christ," writes John Piper, "is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul." Life can be wonderful on earth, but not fully complete without Jesus. We are all created to crave the Creator, our Father, and only through a relationship with our Savior, Jesus, can the dark parts of our hearts brighten. – Meg Bucher

My physical house is filled with light, as is my spiritual house — my heart and my mind — for I have chosen the light of the world, Jesus, and the dark parts of my heart have been brightened, for which I am truly thankful.

Where, however, will you choose to reside spiritually? In the darkness or in the light? I hope and pray that it may be within the light of the love of Jesus, a decision which I know that you will never regret.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Jesus, the light of the world, is available to all who choose to believe. Bless many today with open hearts to choose to move into His light and love, to have their sins forgiven, and to have the dark parts of their hearts brightened for eternity. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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