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The light of Epiphany

The light of Epiphany

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world (John 1:9).

The season of light

Epiphany is called the season of light as it celebrates the time when the story of Jesus started to spread to the Gentiles with the arrival of the wise men and their visit when Jesus was still a baby.  They risked their lives coming to find this King and when at last they found him, they joyfully worshiped him.  

As I was considering the time of the church year it made me think about a time when I was about 14 and was sleeping in a cabin up north with no windows.  At night, it was so dark that you could not see your hand in front of your face.  If I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I would be totally disoriented.  That is, until I could find this smallest of flashlights.  At night, outside, it really didn't give off much light, but in that darkened room, the light it did provide could reorient my senses and help me see the way out and the way forward.

The light shines in our darkness

If you know Jesus, you know the source of light that reveals the darkness of our thoughts and actions and yet, it also speaks tremendous hope and truth into our lives.  While we are not worthy of Jesus, we were never worthless to Jesus.  We know that Jesus came not to prove how dark we are and then to watch us wallow in it, he came to show us what light is and that God desires his light to dwell in us.  That we would see who we are by the grace of God, the forgiveness that comes from that faith in Jesus.  

Son - Daughter!  That's what he calls you, that's what he calls me.  As we see Jesus, we see that the commands of God are the pathways to life to the full, you know, the one that we all really would like to have.  Our nature darkens our eyes to this path, the light reveals the path to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Places to find the light

So, if you don't think you have much faith... if you're struggling to see through the darkness... turn to the one who has come into the world to bring light.  

The Psalms and Proverbs open up a wealth of comfort and conversation, not to mention wisdom, when it comes to walking through the darkness and walking with the light.  Don't think you have the ability to share the hope of Jesus?  

Listen to the story of others. Consider the stories of God's faithfulness to you (death to life is a good place to start) and then know the story of God.  You will find that even the smallest light can be an incredible comfort to people in dark places.  

Even the smallest light can reorient a heart to see Jesus for who he really is.  Not religion, but the God who craves personal relationship, that we may all find what Jesus called "Life to the Full".  

Increase the light

Be encouraged - just as January starts adding 1 to 2 minutes of sunlight each day, that slow increase will eventually get us to June when the nights are shorter, the days are warmer and life is in full swing.  

Spending time with Jesus will take our small light and make it burn that much brighter, even in the darkest spaces.  God be with you!

Source: Mike Westendorf, Christian recording artist