Never in Darkness

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

I know it’s been more than a week, but I’m still geeking out over and marveling at the solar eclipse from last Monday. It was so beautiful! Where were you when it happened? I was jealous of my family in Corvalis, OR and Nashville, TN, as they were in the path of totality. But I also didn’t want to brave the crowds of people heading to the darkened path.

Instead, I got to marvel at the 92-93% totality that we got here in Seattle, WA. It was a such a beautiful day, and the smoky haze was nowhere in sight—a perfect summer morning! The birds were chirping as my roommates and I headed to the park across the street to have our eclipse breakfast picnic. I hadn’t prepared by buying my own eclipse glasses, but my roommates shared theirs. We waited in anticipation of the darkened sky, the birds possibly singing their night song and the inevitable change in temperature. As it got colder, as the birds started to sound a little different, I was struck by how much light there still was with 93% partial eclipse. It didn’t get that dark!

There’s most definitely a “Jesus” point to this story, and if you haven’t guessed it, I’m about to tell you. Jesus’ light is like the sun, so bright and piercing that he lights up even the darkest corners. The sun was just a sliver in the sky, and yet the darkest it got here in Seattle was like when you turn the lights down to dim. I’ve just been thinking over and over again how powerful is the sun’s light even at 93% covered. And yet, how much more radiant, bright, and powerful is Jesus’ light! It’s really kind of mind-blowing.

As Christ followers, we have him and his light. At the same time, we are still waiting for an even bigger show, because we know there’s so much more to Him. If we are not completely prepared as we wait, he’s given us fellowship with one another to share and help in the waiting. As his beloved children, we get to wait together. And even if there’s sin trying to block out the light, His light is so much brighter that he can still shine through us. He’s more powerful than that little bit of sunlight at the peak of the eclipse that still provided so much light in Seattle Monday morning. We can be struggling with darkness, but we have Jesus and his light. Thus, we have his promise of “never walk in darkness.”

I don’t have a perfect walk. And there are some things that eclipse His light in my life. But just like that partial eclipse, it’ll never be fully darkened. How beautiful!

Miel can be reached by email here.