THE DARK
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:23, ESV
Theme: Consider whether you are in a dark place and whether what you are looking at or viewing could be contributing to that darkness.
DARKNESS
“The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2, NLT). The darkness isn’t new. Darkness is a lack of light, form, and matter. God was present hovering even when all there was, was dark. The description before light sounds frightening to me. Like being untethered in outer space, with no stars, no sense of direction, disoriented, and without hope. Much like many of the entertainment and media options available, not all and yet... God did not feel the way I would have present in the darkness. Unlike me, God was able to change the darkness.
SEEING IN THE DARK
Seeing in the dark requires a light source. The moon, stars, a candle, a campfire, a lantern, a flashlight - some form of light is needed if we are to see in the dark. Our eyes will not function without light. Malfunctioning or blind eyes may also result in darkness. “If then the light in you is darkness...” We can’t see in absolute darkness. “Our dark-adapted eyes can perceive very faint light thanks to our rods that are highly sensitive, but do not function in high definition. This ability gets better the longer you sit in the dark, up to a certain point.” says a thoughtful friend, also a practicing Optometrist. Absolute darkness is rare both spiritually and physically. I learned that our eyes may perceive flashes of light even when there is none because the retina don’t know how to respond to force. Something that would be painful or harmful allows short flashes of perceived light.
ADEPT ANALOGY
I am amazed by how beautifully our visual system describes spiritual vision. I shouldn’t be. The words come straight from Jesus, God-incarnate who made eyes, rods, retina, and light. “Humans are cool, and I don't even feign knowing everything there is to know about the eye and our visual system.” Thanks to my friend who knows more than most about our visual system. Agree wholeheartedly. We need the light to see. Seek the light to overcome the darkness.
Make It Personal: In what ways do I immerse myself in light? In darkness? How does what I have considered about the way humans perceive light inform my understanding of spiritual light and darkness? How does this information help me to interpret the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:22?
Pray: God thank you for vision and eyesight. Help me to understand light and darkness better. Help me to be unafraid yet attentive to any areas where darkness is crowding my vision or limiting progress. You are so faithful. Your words are true. Your creation is complex and astounding. I’m grateful for the things I can see clearly and for the things I’ll see much more clearly when all things are made new. Amen.
Read: Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139; Exodus 10:21-29
Weekly Memory Verse: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV