Advent Day 2: Darkness

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“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:1-5 (New Living Translation)


Darkness versus Light
by Evelyn McRae
Darkness comes in many forms, robbing us of the Light of God that heals, saves, and restores. There are collisions daily: faith and love versus fear, doubt, and unbelief. We might act it out in different ways, but our daily choices boil down to this spiritual battle.

In 2007, I made a new and deeper commitment than ever before. I told the Lord, “I am tired of being dragged down through fear, doubt, and unbelief. Please help me stop making excuses for sin.” 
I looked up scriptures to support my decision and found 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” This became my mantra for change.

I committed to two vital components: prayer and obedience. The commitment was daunting, but weary of having a great day and then getting dragged down by something ridiculous, I dove in. With determination, I prayed and wrote my commitment in my journal. ..but change didn’t immediately happen. I was constantly tempted by debilitating thoughts and experienced a relationship gone awry. With pain laying heavy in my heart, I asked the Lord to help me:
 “Fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

Now, seven years later, the Lord continues to answer that prayer in many and various ways, always encouraging me forward. As I look back, I realize that change comes slowly, but if we desire to change, He is faithful to give us the power and resources to move forward. If we desire to walk in the light, God will help us.

Probably the hardest dimension is the daily temptations to old habits. The truth is we choose what we think. What we think invariably comes out in words, and if we listen to ourselves we can recognize and evaluate our thoughts. I have literally walked the floor and said (out loud): “I bless. I choose to bless,” when I’ve wanted to scream other words. The Holy Spirit is faithful to calm and guide. Other times I recite passages from the Bible to still wrong thinking and calm wayward thought. The Holy Spirit is gentle and loving. He trains me to recognize His voice: I choose to listen and obey. I think this is part of “praying without ceasing.”

1 John 1:5 says, “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness.” This reminds me to continue examining my thoughts, remaining open to the Holy Spirit for correction and change—even (and sometimes especially) in the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Tomorrow's Word: Awake!

I want to walk as a child of the light;
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world;
the star of my life is Jesus.

Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all;
the night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God:
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

2. I want to see the brightness of God;
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father.

3. I’m looking for the coming of Christ;
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus.

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