Go Toward the Light

In the northern latitudes, winter is dark. It is also cold and windy, but it is the long, persistent darkness that can overwhelm me. With sixteen hours of darkness each day, I cling to light in every form. Candles, lamps, and wood fires can all draw me close and soothe my soul.

It’s not just the cold and dark of winter that draws me close. In the summertime, there is nothing so attractive as a fire in our firepit. We gather there, not because we need its warmth, but because we are drawn to the light.

At this time of year, the amount of light that is added to each day is noticeable. We are getting twenty minutes more sunshine every day. We can see the snow receding, the birds are making their way back, trees are starting to bud—life is changing!

In his gospel, John names Jesus as light: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5 NLT). Jesus came to this dark world like a candle in the darkness and drew people to him. Healing the sick, bringing peace to conflict, forgiving sins, and teaching brought light to this world.

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9 NLT). I love that this is how John chooses to introduce Jesus to us—as the true light that comes into the world. The dark December days make me feel like spring will never come, but when more and more light comes into the world, I can understand John’s use of light. Those minutes turn into hours of more light, plants begin to grow, animals are born, waters warm. All of creation responds to the presence of light.

Jesus did the same thing! His light changed things—still changes things—for us. Another disciple, Matthew, quotes the prophet Isaiah and reminds us that we have been waiting for Jesus for a long time: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matt. 4:16 NLT).

The darkness we sit in isn’t just related to the earth’s relationship to the sun. The darkness of grief can be overwhelming. Not just the loss of a loved one but the loss of a dream, a job, a relationship, a home, but Jesus comes to us in our darkness. The darkness of addiction can seem never ending, but Jesus comes to us in our darkness. The darkness of depression or anxiety can make us feel alone, but Jesus comes to us in our darkness. The darkness of struggle and failure can feel pointless, but Jesus comes to us in our darkness.

Jesus brings us light—a light to follow, a hope to believe. We are drawn to him in our darkness just as we are drawn to light in our physical darkness. God’s love for us is clear in that he sent Jesus to earth to be the light in our darkness.

I feel God’s love most when I move toward the light, when I move toward Jesus. When I spend time in his Word, when I spend time in prayer, when I spend time just being still—that is when I feel God’s love. To be clear, most of the time, moving toward the light doesn’t change my circumstances. Instead, it changes me. The light moves inside me, and I become a light-bearer.

My life doesn’t become perfect when I carry the light, but God’s perfect love brings me peace, and I can share that peace with others. Just as when we light two candles, then three, then four, the light grows. When I add my light to yours, we become brighter together, and in turn, God’s love shines brighter—not just for us, but for others.

Move toward the light.

Annie Carlson is rooted like a turnip to the plains of North Dakota where she raises great food, large numbers of farm animals, and three free-range kids with her husband. You can find her with either a book or knitting needles in her hands as she dreams up her next adventure.