“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5 NIV)

“He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:11 NIV)

I had just ventured into the long, dark cave leading to the elevator that would bring me to the top of Chimney Rock in North Carolina. The cave, although slightly lit, was a bit too dark for my taste. As I continued my trek through it however, my eyes adjusted to the darkness and I was able to discern unusual rock formations.

It was very pretty, but when I finally left the cave, I was caught completely off guard by the bright sunlight that assaulted my eyes. I had to shut them against the pain, and all I could say was, “My poor eyes!” They did eventually adjust to the bright sunlight, and only then could I discern the beauty of my sunny surroundings.

I remember back a few years ago, when we used to live in Southern Arizona, my wife and I often wandered out onto the Sonora desert at night. It’s amazing the little things we could notice in the obscurity of darkness. As soon as someone shone a bright light in our eyes, we were squinting away the tears. If we remained in the bright light long enough however, we eventually could open our eyes once again and notice that our perspective of our surroundings had changed dramatically: “I didn’t know there was a mountain over there! And look! We were heading straight into a snake’s nest!”

When we find ourselves in the middle of spiritual darkness, let’s not fight away the blinding light that comes from Jesus and His Word. Let’s take our time until our eyes become adjusted, because only then will we finally be able to discern spiritual matters in the true Light. Only then will our perspectives change!

We must be aware that the light of Jesus will reveal some things that we might prefer to have kept in utter darkness. But if left undealt with, these things will keep us in spiritual darkness and lead us into a life of defeat and shame.

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9 NIV)

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”” (Eph 5:11-14 NIV)

It might be tempting for some to wander in the dark for a while, but hope only comes at daybreak!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Heavenly Hash” devotional series, please click here.“