'Now you are light'

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ... .

-Ephesians 5:8

Ever feel like you're living in the dark? I remember the day that I had my stroke and lying in a dark room. Vaguely, I remember the darkness might have had something to do with imaging.

But regardless of how light or dark my surroundings, I felt in the dark. Lost, confused and grasping for hope that I could not see.

And we've all been there, one way or the other.

Today, though, God offers us the opportunity to be a child of light, a light in his name. Regardless of any darkness in your past, you can live in the light.

'A light on my path'

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

-Psalm 119:105

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we're living in the dark much of the time. On most days that I get out and run, it's before daylight. My particular path is at least in part on a local gravel trail - unlighted and not always smooth.

So to avoid stumbling and falling, I wear an LED headlamp on those days. It pierces the dark and helps me pick my way along the trail. It's a light on my path.

I watch, too, other runners and walkers find a lamp for their feet. I see them, often at quite a distance, guiding their steps with their lights.

Life, too, can be dark - no matter the time of day. Trying to follow God, I've found, gives light to my personal path. I don't - you don't - all of us don't - have to stumble in the dark. God's word is there to guide you.

'Turns my darkness into light'

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

-2 Samuel 22:29

As summer starts its final weeks, days are getting shorter. In several more weeks, that'll be even more pronounced.

The Old Testament's David had his dark days, too. He was hunted by Saul. Had his own failings.

But this verse is part of David's praise to God, acknowledging God's strength and perfection. You can read the entire chapter here.

When dark days come, God is present to turn your darkness into light.

'Will never walk in darkness'

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

Yes, you might have seen this particular Bible verse here before.

However, I couldn't resist keeping on the "light" theme this week (see previous post here). Fall is coming fast and with it, days are slowly shortening. Soon, daylight savings time will end, and when I leave my workplace, it'll be dark. Just recently, I've started to use a little headlamp when I run in the early morning hours.

But dark can be more than just a matter of day or night. Just as Jesus talked about the light of life, life also has its dark times. Struggles with pain and tribulation. Stroke recovery frustration. Times of being lost in a world that is often dimly lit.

We've all been in the dark. But the light is available for us - when we begin - or just remember - to follow the light of the world.

'A light on my path'

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

-Psalm 119:105

Ever feel lost? In a strange town? Or a strange situation?

It's happened to me - literally AND figuratively.

Not long after I moved to Missouri several years ago, during a long run on a Saturday, I got turned around and two hours later finally figured out where I was. I got to a phone, called home and my wife was kind enough to come get me.

It was bright sunlight, but I might has well been lost in the dark.

When my stroke occurred a few years before my lost-while-running episode, I felt lost in a different kind of dark. Thanks to many people who helped, I found light and, once again, home.

We all run into patches of darkness, times that seem dreary and hopeless. But we can look toward our relationships with God to find that light -and home.

'I am the light of the world'

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

This is the 500th posting on this blog - started in December 2005 and for many years, updated sporadically. Now, it's generally updated two or three times a week and has a companion Facebook page and Twitter feed.

I chose the verse above, from John's Gospel, because as a stroke survivor, I stumbled in the dark, in a blur of barely recalled images, while others were steadfastly working to keep me alive.

Now, Jesus is not talking about physical light, but spiritual light. So even if we are in the dark times in this world, you have the promise of the light of life that means so much more.

Now, on to the next 500 postings...

(Photo from NASA; text added by author)

'God turns my darkness into light'

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

-Psalm 18:28

A not-long-ago posting referred to light, as in an image screen at the hospital where began my stroke recovery.

So I ran across this verse a few days ago and had to add this to my collection. "Turns my darkness into light" is pretty powerful. Darkness - fear, hopelessness, despair. Light - hope, strength, love.

Is the light going to erase all problems? Oh, I wish. But God's light can shine and help all of us find a way through our struggles - with hope, spiritual strength and God's love.

'No one who believes in me shall stay in darkness'

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

-John 12:46

It was dark in the room, a place where memories are vague at best. I recall the light – a screen where, I suppose, a doctor was looking at an image of my brain via catheterization imaging.

I have no recollection of what happened next. But I remember the light.

Now, did the light save my life that day? Certainly not.

But there is a light you can rely on, one who brings you out of darkness. And no matter what happens in this world, you will never be alone, never in the darkness. A light for all.

Let Jesus light your world

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

This time of year, it's getting darker and darker early in the day, when, three times at week, I'm out running.

So most of the time, I'm wearing a headlamp to somewhat dimly light my path. Otherwise, I'd likely stumble and fall. And most of the time, I'm on a fairly popular running, walking and bicycling venue, a trail close to my house, so I see headlamps all along my route - so people won't walk, run or bike in the darkness.

Now, things can still go wrong. Headlamps provide only so much light. Outside of its fairly small area, there's darkness. And they are run on batteries and human technology. Batteries eventually expire, and human technology can fail. I've gone through two headlamps and now working on No. 3 in my almost 25 years of running. And No. 3 will eventually be discarded.

Unlike my headlamp, Jesus is not a light exclusive to me and will never fail. He is my light, can be your light - the light of the world. Let him light your world.

And the light will guide your way

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

-Psalm 119:105

I received a gift last Christmas - a light attached to an elastic band. The idea is to wear it around your head while working or moving.

What's the point of that? Well, during some times of the year, and on some days no matter what the time of the year, I run before dawn, and without light, it's easy to stumble. This small light has prevented countless falls.

Just like the little light, God's word lights the way for stroke survivors and caregivers. When it seems the darkness is impenetrable, when it seems you can't help but stumble, find the light. Listen to the word, study the word, pray with the word.