The Gospel of John: Light in a Dark World: Why the Church Must Stop Adjusting to the Darkness
Finding Light in a Dark World: Our Call to Shine When Everything Seems Dim
Have you ever felt like the world around you is growing increasingly dark? Like moral values are being turned upside down and the pressure to compromise your faith is mounting? I've been reflecting on this reality lately, especially as I watch the news and see the chaos unfolding around us. But even in the darkest times, God has a powerful reminder for us.
When Darkness Seems to Be Winning
During a recent time away, I received disturbing news about a political assassination. As my phone blew up with messages from different pastors and people asking what was happening, I found myself asking God the same question: "Lord, what is going on?"
That evening, while eating dinner by the bay and watching a beautiful sunset, I witnessed something remarkable. After a bagpipe performance and prayers for our nation, I looked out at the now-darkened water and saw something extraordinary:
"All of a sudden, all these fish start jumping out of the water. And my first thought is, what's in there that's making them jump out? But there's all these fish that are jumping out of the water and they're jumping high and they're going back in, they're jumping out, and they're coming back in.
And what the Holy Spirit told me is, there's still life even in this dark world."
God spoke clearly to my heart: "Do not be discouraged, do not be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, because there are still fish in the darkness that need me."
Jesus: The Light in Darkness
In John 12, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem during the final week before His crucifixion. Jerusalem was a dark place at that time—under Roman rule, moral chaos abounded, social injustice reigned, and spiritual truth had been distorted. But into this darkness rode Jesus, not on a war horse but on a donkey, coming to make all things new.
John 12:46 says, "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark."
Even in the darkest times, there is triumph with Jesus. He didn't avoid the darkness—He entered right into it to bring salvation.
Standing at the Cross, Not with the Crowd
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, crowds gathered, shouting "Hosanna!" and waving palm branches. They were looking for a political savior, not understanding His true mission. These crowds quickly changed their allegiance when things got difficult.
Here's a truth we must embrace: "For most people it's always easier to shout with the crowds than to stand at the cross."
Unfortunately, that's true for many churches today. When hardship comes, when people ridicule us, when spiritual opposition rises, will we stand firm at the cross or run with the crowd?
"But what about the power of witchcraft? What about the power of my king? Witchcraft has nothing."
Glorifying God in Our Darkest Hours
As Jesus approached His crucifixion, He said, "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came. Father, bring glory to your name" (John 12:27).
Jesus knew the cross was just days away. He knew the scourging, the nailing to the cross, and all the suffering that awaited Him. Yet His focus remained on glorifying the Father.
What if this became our response in difficult times? "What if the cry of our heart every time the worst happened in our lives was to glorify Yahweh?"
I've been through horrific times in my life and sat with people experiencing terrible suffering. The number one way to start the healing process is to ask, "Father, how can I glorify your name?" This doesn't mean we don't grieve—grief is important—but even in grief, we can honor God.
Don't Let Your Eyes Adjust to the Darkness
Have you ever gone to a movie theater in the middle of a bright afternoon? When you exit after the film, the sunlight seems blinding. Your eyes had adjusted to the darkness inside.
The same thing happens spiritually. "Stop letting your eyes adjust to the darkness. Keep your eyes on the light."
When we begin to accept things of darkness—unforgiveness, generational curses, lust, envy, hate—we're moving away from God's best for us. "O Lord, save us from our own dark hearts."
Being Light in a Dark World
In 2 Corinthians 4:6, we read: "For God who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ."
Satan might be at work, but we have a God who is doing greater work, and He's never lost. Isaiah 9:2 reminds us: "The people who walk in spiritual darkness will see a great light. Those who live in the dark land, the light will shine on them because God doesn't lose."
Life Application: Standing at the Cross
When the worst possible things happen in our lives, we have a choice to make:
Choose to glorify God in all circumstances Even in Nigeria, where Christians were recently attacked, beheaded, and their church burned, believers returned to worship and glorify God's name. Will we do the same in our trials?
Remain alert and spiritually awake As Ephesians 6:18 instructs us: "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Be the light that draws others to Jesus Remember those fish jumping in the dark water? "There are still fish in the sea that need to know who Jesus is. And we can't be the church that runs when it gets hard."
Stand firm on Biblical truth "Our job is to free people from sin because that's what Jesus has asked us to do... The church is not built to help people to sin, to justify their sin, but it's built to help guide them to Jesus."
Let God heal your own darkness Before we can effectively shine for others, we must "lay down our own hurts" and allow God's light to heal the dark places in our own hearts.
The darkness in our world may seem overwhelming at times, but remember—light always overcomes darkness. As followers of Christ, we carry His light. Let's not hide it or dim it to fit in with the crowd. Instead, let's stand firmly at the cross, shining brightly so others can find their way to Jesus.
There are still fish in the dark waters needing rescue. Will you be the light that helps them find their way home?