Light Overpowers Darkness. The Word Coming Alive Series, Part 3

"Everything was created through him; nothing-not one thing!- came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out." John 1:3-5 (MSG)

Notice that darkness cannot put out the light. What Jesus promotes is life and light, and He is far bigger than darkness: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1John 4:4, NIV2) Darkness runs from Jesus' presence, for He is the Creator and nothing can stop Him!

Take, for example, that poor boy who none of the disciples could heal. When Jesus came down from the mountain, He healed that boy on the spot: "He ordered the afflicting demon out-and it was out, gone. From that moment on the boy was well." Matthew 17:18 (MSG) Nothing is too difficult to Him!

Many people get involved in the darkness and lose their way, but Jesus, through His infinite love, rescues them, bringing hope to the hopeless.

The following testimony, illustrates this quite well:

"Becoming a firefighter has only been a dream of mine for a year now. It wasn't something I wanted to be because of career day in elementary or anything like that. I wanted to do something with my life that reflected how Jesus changed my life and the compassion that he has for all people.

I've only been a follower of Christ for a couple years now but the evidence within me and the story of my life is my proof that Jesus Christ is as real as you and me and He loves you with all His heart. As cliché as it sounds today, Jesus is my biggest inspiration in my life. Just as He dragged me out of the burning flames that was my messed up life, I want to do that for others whether in ministry efforts, fighting fires, and hopefully both. The living word brings hope to the hopeless, love to the loveless, and new life to the dead in spirit.

My life was anything but perfect before I met Jesus two years ago in Soper, Oklahoma. I was deep in depression, I got involved in drugs, and even shunned my family so I could try run away to North Dakota. I tried but I couldn't. Even now, I can't put into words how things got this far but I believe it had a lot to do with me being the youngest in a very broken family. My parents fought, my brothers and I had a violent relationship, and I laughed uncontrollably when I got nervous. That last part got me in more trouble than one might think.

I wanted help but I didn't know where to turn. Heck, I didn't even realize I was depressed until I was in my early twenties smoking spice in Virginia. A poor excuse of a substitution for getting high. It wasn't anything I would even consider enjoyable. It felt terrible and caused some of the scariest hallucinations one could ever think of. It only seemed right for me to do so because in my mind, it was what I deserved for running away from my problems, friends, and my family.

I recall a time when a neighbor called 911 to check on me. I can only imagine the horrible screams I made that night. I only remember gaining consciousness after they had arrived in the apartment door and the burn marks across my shoulder. Life surely seemed to be coming to an end for me soon if it had not already.

To skip ahead, I moved back home to Texas after a couple years. My family was deeply concerned about me but I didn't want any help from them. I didn't deserve it and I didn't want them to love me. I only knew that something had to change. I moved to Oklahoma with my aunt in hopes of getting involved in religion with the church. I paid the utmost attention to a preacher getting excited over the Holy Bible yelling out "It doesn't matter how good you've been or how bad you've been! Jesus still loves you and that will never change! When he was on the cross, you were on his mind." For the first time, I started to realize that following Jesus was more than just a religion of proverbs and good works. It wasn't a race to be the holiest. It wasn't doing penance. It was about restoring your relationship with the creator who loved you first and loved you the most.

Even after all that, I still had trouble feeling like I could walk with my head held high. I just couldn't accept that all my past was forgiven. It seemed too easy. The truth is, it is easy. That's why it's so hard. I kept asking God, "Please, show me I'm forgiven! Help my unbelief!" It was then I got into contact with someone from my past who I thought I wronged the most. My ex-girlfriend, currently wife to be, whom I left years ago, without a word before going to Virginia. It was her my nightmares were about. It was fear of not being forgiven that was holding me back. I called her and begged for forgiveness and told her everything that happened and that was happening all the way until that point. "Of course I forgive you" were her words exactly. In that moment, I felt the presence of God about me assuring me that I was forgiven in all things removing that doubt. Jesus had been laying out a path to my salvation all along. He had been planning this since the beginning. Jesus called my name and I finally answered. In a twist of events, she too had undergone hardships that led to her rededication to Jesus Christ and the timing was perfect. Jesus is never early or too late. He is always right on time.

Ever since then, I've been inspired to get back into life and get involved again. I always want to share my story to those who would listen and let my life be the proof that Jesus changes lives. Although I'm not one hundred percent on whether I'm called to be a firefighter or not, I believe that I've been called to do something to save lives. Whether that be ministry or firefighting, I know God will use me. As long as I remember, Jesus walks with me and He's never going to leave me nor forsake me. I've dedicated my life to Him and I never want to stray from the comforting embrace that is my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

By: Trenton Sant Thanks to Precious Testimonies Evangelist Ministries

May we always remember that light overpowers darkness!

Rob Chaffart