By Bill Kent

Strong wind from Hurricane Matthew pushed down many large trees and knocked out the power for thousands of people in Savannah, Statesboro, and many other places. The house stayed dark for 48 hours. Flashlights helped a little bit but many people stumbled around in the darkness for several days wondering how long before we have power again. Linemen came in from faraway places to work around the clock until every customer had power again. We appreciate electricity and power company workers more when we sit in the darkness.

Light is essential for everyone. When the Old Testament prophet spoke under divine inspiration of Jesus coming into the world, he spoke of light shining in a dark place. Galilee wouldn’t be gloomy anymore after Jesus came. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath a light shined,” (Isaiah 9:2). Sometimes we forget the value of spiritual light. We stumble around in spiritual darkness and need the light of truth. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” (Psalm 119:105).

Since God is our Creator, he knows what is best for us. The Lord doesn’t want us to drift around in darkness depending on our own opinions, which are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. None of us has perfect understanding. We need direction from the One who is the source of all light and truth. As horses and cows need fences to keep them off busy highways, we need guidelines for living healthy and happy lives. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all,” (1 John 1:5).

While Jesus lived among people, he shined the light of a perfect example of how to live and encouraged us to walk in his footsteps. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life,” (John 8:12). It’s best for us to look to the Light of the Son by reading the Bible as we look to the Sun for light. We are called to come out of the darkness into God’s glorious light and to share the light with others everywhere.