A Great Light

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. – Isaiah 9:2

In Isaiah 9, we hear about the coming King, Prince of Peace, in the most eloquent and dramatic way. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”.  Think about that statement for a minute and imagine, a life in utter darkness and then sudden light. I have heard a ton of stories of children of God whose lives were dramatically changed in this way. Just think of Saul (Paul) in the bible who was blinded on the way to Damascus then could suddenly “see”. It doesn’t get much more dramatic than that. Or of an alcoholic, who has lost everything – family, friends, job, home – suddenly giving his life to Christ and never picking up a bottle again. Extreme.

I don’t know your story, but mine is less dramatic and more long obedience in the same direction. The same grace, the same importance, just less extreme in our standards. I have this memory of being in front of the whole congregation in a mini rendition of the Christmas story, standing there, saying my lines, and fully believing/understanding the words I was saying. I don’t remember my age, or what I was wearing, or who was watching or even what I was saying. I just remember the feeling. The feeling of knowing I was missing something and in need of a Savior.

My journey began at a young age and I have continued to seek Him throughout my life. At times, it has been tough and others easy as breathing. But, it all started with realization that I needed Him. The realization that I was living in the darkness of sin and that I needed the great light of Jesus. However, it is easy to forget that the great light freely given to us came at such a high cost. It is easy to picture it in the eloquent way described in Isaiah 9, instead of the suffering and anguish depicted in the Gospels.

On today, Christmas Eve, my prayer is that we remember the birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the crucifixion of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus and the great light of Jesus that comes through all of those things. My life has purpose and meaning, to glorify Christ and He above all deserves my adoration and praise.

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