Job 24:13 “There are those who rebel against the light,
    who do not know its ways
    or stay in its paths.”

This statement by Job brings to mind Jesus’ statement in John 3. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:19-20) Human nature doesn’t change! We are constantly faced with the choice of light or darkness, far more often than we realize. Job’s statement is specifically about light, but as John wrote in his first letter, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Rejecting light is rejecting God. Peter also points out that God has called us out of darkness into His light. (1 Peter 2:9) You can’t disassociate light from God. That said, we need to be careful, because one of the names for the devil is Lucifer, “light carrier,” and “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) With that caution in mind, we should still seek the light, and certainly avoid the “deeds of darkness.” (Romans 13:12) The problem is that society has many dark corners, and we get so used to them that we don’t notice them until we get stuck in them. That’s why we need to keep a close watch on ourselves, and choose honesty and openness at every turn, letting the light of Christ shine from us. (2 Corinthians 4:6) If we do that, we will be much less likely to stumble!

I had the great blessing of being raised by a man who chose absolute honesty as one of his core principles. That doesn’t mean I’ve never been devious, and certainly not that I’ve never done things I’d rather keep hidden, but it does mean that lying doesn’t come very naturally to me. Even springing surprises on people, I’d much rather be quiet than actually say anything that isn’t true. I think I have a much less stressful life for that, because I never have to worry about what I told someone, and whether I told someone else the same story. In terms of light, as a photographer I’ve spent a lot of time in photo darkrooms, and got so acclimated to them that I could read a newspaper with just the safelights I had in my personal setup. Even today, sunglasses are essential to me in sunny weather, but I still prefer brightly lit rooms, unless I’m trying to sleep. I have been accused of hurting people by being overly direct. I am always to speak the truth in love, but never to speak less than the truth, thinking I’m being loving. I don’t have to say everything I know or perceive. That’s a lesson I’m still learning! As a pastor, I seek to lead others to the light, and teach them to love the light as I do.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve got a really packed schedule today. Help me walk in Your light each moment as a carrier of Your light, so that those I’m with may be drawn to Your light for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!