“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”—John 3:19-21
What if the darkness of 2020…
…has only helped us to see, to experience, the light of Christ, even more?
What if, in the midst of the darkness of this time, we see a light that shines even brighter than we’ve been able to see before?
As I was sitting here this morning, thinking about the “darkness” of this time and the “light” of Christ…
I heard the word,
“exhumation“, to “exhume” or as I heard it “exhumerate” (which I don’t think is technically, really a word)
Now, I had no idea what this word means.
I don’t think I’ve ever used this word before, but it came to mind when I was thinking of this year, 2020, the darkness, the uncovering of many things, and the glorious light of Christ…
Do you know what it means?
“exhumation“
tr.v.ex·humed, ex·hum·ing, ex·humes To remove from a grave; disinter. To bring to light, especially after a period of obscurity.
–to dig (something buried, especially a dead body) out of the earth; disinter. to revive or restore after neglect or a period of forgetting; bring to light: to exhume a literary reputation; to exhume old letters.
Oh. my. goodness…
What if…
The darkness of this time, has only allowed the light of Christ to shine even brighter for us to see, for us to experience, for us to know, for the world to experience?
What if a hard, dark year has only caused us to press in,
to lean in,
to turn towards Him,
to see Him,
to talk with Him more,
to pray more,
to depend on Him,
to know Him more,
to shine His light brighter than ever before…
To be a “lighthouse” for those who are desperately in need of seeing the light…
Of seeing the truth.
Of knowing there is hope.
He came for the brokenhearted. He came to save the ones who are lost in the darkness…He came to be a light to the world!
Don’t you think that’s still His heart for the world today, in 2020? It is!
What if…
The attempt of the enemy has only backfired,
(Newsflash: It always does.)
Because in the darkness, the light of Christ only shines brighter…?
Experienced in your life,
Seen in your life,
Experienced and seen, in and through
your life.
What if 2020 has been more about “exhuming a body” and “bringing to life” and “bringing to light“…the the LIGHT in the body of Christ?
“to revive or restore after neglect or a period of forgetting; bring to light“
What if…
God knew it had to be this way?
Oh God, I thank You that all of this scheming, all of this attempt of the enemy is only backfiring on him…
Because of Your great light! Because of Your wonderful, perfect plans that come from Your beautiful heart!
In the darkness, Your light shines even brighter! It’s the way You designed it to be. You are light, and You knew what you were doing when You created light for our world, for us to see, for us to learn, for us to understand. That we might understand more about who You are, and who Christ is to this dark world.
May “all that we face” to only draw us nearer and closer to You in this season.
We may face a deep darkness, but because of You, we have a great LIGHT that shines bright!
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12
Your light is a light that can never be taken from us. ☀️
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.”—Micah 7:8
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.“—John 1:5
The darkness can get darker, but Lord, Your LIGHT will only shine brighter!
You have placed the light of Christ within Your people, and we are Your people! We are Your “Children of Light.” ☀️?
Let us not attempt to hide it, let us not allow the sin of this world to dim us, but God help us to only shine Your light brighter! This world NEEDS to see Your light, God!
“The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”—Proverbs 4:19
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”—2 Corinthians 4:4
May Your light that is within us, shine so brightly through us. ??
“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”—Romans 13:12
“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light“—Ephesians 5:8
Thank You, Father. ? Thank You for the gift of Your Son…. for bringing Your Light to this earth, and then making a way for Your light to shine from within us.
Thank You for making us Your “Children of Light.” ☀️
Come into the Light—His light. It’s so beautiful here. ☀️?
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.”—Isaiah 9:2
May your Christmas be Merry & Bright. ?
-Heather ?