getting used to the dark?

I can remember putting my sweet girls to bed when they were little. I would always turn on their little nightlights and then shut off the big light. When the light first went out it would always be pretty dark in their rooms. I would tell them, "wait just a minute and your eyes will get used to the dark and you will be able to see". Sure enough, in just a bit, their eyes adjusted and they could see enough to not be afraid.

We live in a world of darkness. It seems like as time goes on we are slowly getting used to the dark that is prevailing. Little by little we have allowed the light to be diminished and allowed the darkness to overtake it. And we are adjusting to it. Sadly, we are letting ourselves get used to the dark. 

Has our light that at one time shined so brightly for Jesus become dim? Has it become a mere nightlight instead of a blazing brightness? Do we even recall when it started happening? When did our source of power no longer light us up like it used to. When did we start getting used to the dark?

Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are the light of the world and we are supposed to let our light shine for men to see? That light is present when we have the precious Lord Jesus Christ dwelling within our hearts! We shine because He is shining through us. So if that is the truth, why is the world in such darkness? It is in this state because we have allowed our light to go dim. Our light is not shining. We have let the enemy extinguish our brightness and replace it with a very small glow. If even that....

Why and how did this happen? It happened because our voices have stopped teaching. It happened because our prayers have ceased and therefore hearts have stopped being changed. It happened because our hands have stopped serving and our feet have stopped going. It happened because of change in the lives of mankind. God hasn't changed and the TRUTH hasn't changed. We have.

We have let the darkness of this present world take priority over the light of Jesus. Why? Because it is easy. It is easier to stay in the dark than to turn on the light. Do we like the dark? Do we think that in the dark our deeds are hidden? We must or else we would get up and turn on the light. 

We have to light our lamps again and shine for Jesus. If we don't shine then the darkness will continue to take over. It is not always easy and it is not always convenient. But if we are going to live in victory and win souls for Christ, we have to show others the light. We can't just tell them, we have to be that example. They have to see it in us. We must be what Jesus created us to be. 

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the TRUTH comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God"

(John 3:19-21)

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Precious Father, allow our lights to shine so brightly for you that we are ablaze with the wonder of who you are. Let us be that shining example to those that may be in darkness. May they desire to come into the light and forever leave the world of darkness because of what You have done in us and through us. You truly are the Light of the World.