Choosing Darkness Over Light
Open Your Bible
Isaiah 5:20, Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-15, Psalm 139:11-12, Proverbs 4:19, 1 Timothy 1:15-17
BY Scarlet Hiltibidal
Section 1: The Light of the World
This will be the first Christmas we celebrate without Uncle Jimmy. On a horrible Saturday this past summer, I got a phone call with the crushing news that my uncle, my only local relative and childhood father figure, died by suicide.
My sister and I cried on FaceTime for hours, and once I finally fell asleep, I tossed and turned all night, dreaming about where it happened, thinking about our last conversation, remembering what his voice sounded like. I prayed for light to fill the dark spaces of my mind. I prayed for the goodness of God to work in spite of the evil that led to Uncle Jimmy’s death.
In today’s reading, we reflect on good and evil, light and darkness. We start at the beginning—the creation of mankind. Right there in Genesis 1, fresh off of His miraculous “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), when He made everything we know, God made people and He made them good. Humans lived in the light of God’s love and they had nothing to fear. But, by the time we get to Genesis 3, we see darkness enter the perfect garden. We witness the first humans believing the first lies and choosing darkness instead of light.
We read of the pain and heartbreak that never really left. We reflect on the birth of death and the curse of human hopelessness. The brokenness that began that horrible day in the garden still echoes here as it steals life and tries to exterminate our joy. The evil one still lures people into the dark, makes them think they are alone, and makes them believe they are lost and can’t be found.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.
—Isaiah 5:20
Do you know who started the pursuit of darkness instead of light, the trading of good for evil? It was the serpent. It was our enemy. He modeled it first. And woe to the evil one who lies and steals and kills and destroys (John 10:10).
We’re all affected by darkness here in this broken world. We feel it acutely in the tragedies we face, and we even recognize it in our own flesh. Sometimes even rescued ones pursue darkness and hide from the light.
But those of us who are in Christ are not doomed to wander in darkness. We are the recipients of mercy and the heirs to the kingdom where no darkness can exist. Remember, it’s the first day of December. It’s the month we pay special attention to the reality that the Light of the World, Jesus Christ Himself, came to kill the dark to resurrect hope. The Light came and brought life.
Step into the light of 1 Timothy 1:15–17 with me, friends. It’s Christmas time. Darkness may have stolen from us and maybe it still hurts as we’re surrounded by our traditions and reminded of what and whom we’ve lost. But we aren’t hopeless ones who can’t see where we’re going. We’re sons and daughters of God, illuminated by His love. We’ve been forgiven. We’ve been led into the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). May our days be merry and bright…
171 thoughts on "Choosing Darkness Over Light"
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May your light shine in this world, Lord!
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I’m a brand new mom. My baby came 7 weeks early and is in the NICU. I had a traumatic birth experience and lingering effects from that. So many things have gone wrong and part of me is so angry and part of me wants to scream about how unfair our situation is. But I know deep down that it isn’t God’s fault. I know he cares. I know he’s near. I keep acting on faith even though I’ll be honest some days I do wonder if he’s listening. It’s like my brain knows he’s here but my heart hasn’t felt it totally. I want to strive more for the light. For not letting darkness consume me and make me bitter. I want these things so badly. So I trust that He will reveal why this all happened in due time and I will do my best to survive this and point others to Him.
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Linda, your faith will never be the same and that is okay. You have changed and your faith will change with it but don’t give up hope. Look in the scriptures and see what God says now. Go to church not for the community but to worship God and pray that God will provide a community that loves you. I highly suggest reading liturgy/written prayers. In grief our prayers can get stagnate. May you find new light and new hope and new peace in your renewed faith. Remember that God allows hardship that we may grow and mature in our faith and our character that we may better glorify Him, the creator and maker of everything.
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Hannah, I remember a time after my third child was born. I was so exhausted and getting by only by the strength of God. One morning I was rocking him and trying to get him back to sleep so I could go down and start the days meals for the others when I said to myself “I am just so tired” and I heard God say “I know.” As simple as that. No more explanation then He knows. He is with us. We are never alone. What peace! Praise God.
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Linda, I’m sorry you are struggling. I’m a new mom and I’m TIRED. There are nights (many) I have prayed for God to let her sleep through the night. To just let me sleep because so feel like I’m going crazy. And I feel a lot of times He isn’t listening so I get angry – and I tell Him I’m angry. And in His patient way, sometimes through others, He redirects me to His Word. So that’s my encouragement to you, read The Word. He has already given us the answers there. It’s not always a burning bush moment, most of the time it’s a reminder through words. Praying for you sister
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Man. This resonated with my soul. To the very core. It brought feelings of grief I wasn’t prepared to feel. I lost a childhood friend/brother 4 years ago. I was looking at pics of him before I read this today. I remember the months of questioning, insomnia, and obsessive searching for signs I missed of him calling out for help while he was still alive.
3-4 months after he died, I VIVIDLY remember being in Zambia jump roping with kids. Two of us were holding the jump rope, one on each end. The kids were taking turns jumping in the middle. The Lord told me to ask one of them to trade spots with me. I did, and the inexplicable joy that filled me as I jumped can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. It was the most joy my soul so desperately needed.
Later on, a spiritual mentor told me she had a vision of Jesus reaching out to my friend as he died. I held onto that for months in those early stages of grief.
Praise the Lord He is light!!! And life! Praise Jesus that NOTHING can separate us from His love! I’m so grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice!
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Man. This resonated with my soul. To the very core. It brought feelings of grief I wasn’t prepared to feel. I lost a childhood friend/brother 4 years ago. I was looking at pics of him before I read this today. I remember the months of questioning, insomnia, and obsessive searching for signs I missed of him calling out for help while he was still alive.
3-4 months after he died, I VIVIDLY remember being in Zambia jump roping with kids. Two of us were holding the jump rope, one on each end. The kids were taking turns jumping in the middle. The Lord told me to ask one of them to trade spots with me. I did, and the inexplicable joy that filled me as I jumped can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. It was the most joy my soul so desperately needed.
Later on, a spiritual mentor told me she had a vision of Jesus reaching out to my friend as he died. I held onto that for months in those early stages of grief.
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Man. This resonated with my soul. To the very core. It brought feelings of grief I wasn’t prepared to feel. I lost a childhood friend/brother 4 years ago. I was looking at pics of him before I read this today. I remember the months of questioning, insomnia, and obsessive searching for signs I missed of him calling out for help while he was still alive.
3-4 months after he died, I VIVIDLY remember being in Zambia jump roping with kids. Two of us were holding the jump rope, one on each end. The kids were taking turns jumping in the middle. The Lord told me to ask one of them to trade spots with me. I did, and the inexplicable joy that filled me as I jumped can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. It was the most joy my soul so desperately needed.
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