There are many things in life that we take for granted: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the light around us. Have you ever wondered how difficult life would be if we did not have the light of day, or even artificial light? Actually, we could not continue to exist without light. Plants would not grow, the world and its inhabitants could not be sustained. Light is crucial to us, whether it be sunlight or artificial light, that makes life in the darkness easier.
And so it is with Jesus. Without Jesus, life cannot exist. Well, of course, life can exist, but it is a life without meaning and purpose. As John states, the world did not understand the Light, that is, Jesus. So it is also with us. For those who remember a life without Christ-before we believed in him and committed our lives to follow him-we did not understand the Light and our need for it. But since we became believers, it is difficult to imagine a life without Christ. Life without him just doesn't make any sense, it lacks motivation and purpose.
This realization, this experience, should fuel our hearts to take the gospel to a lost world, to people who are so locked in darkness that they often cannot even see their need for the Light. You may be the only chance they have of receiving the key to escape from their prison of darkness into a new life of light. There are no benefits, no joy or happiness for those living in the darkness. The only joy, happiness, and benefit of any importance is to know Christ, and then to help others to know him too.
Paul said, "I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:8).
- 30 DECEMBER -