PSALMS 36:9: “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Everyone needs light! Just the other day the fluorescent light in our laundry room burnt out. We had not changed the bulbs in this light since we moved into our home 5 years ago. You take the light for granted until it is no longer there.

I hopped into my car and headed for the local Ace Hardware. I was on a mission to purchase two fluorescent light bulbs! This repair was going to be a piece of cake. After all, how hard is it to replace two bulbs?

With bulbs in my hand, I headed home for a quick two-minute fix. I cleaned the cover of the old fixture, installed the new bulbs, reinstalled the cover, and then turned on the switch. What happened next was not what I intended.

Instead of the lights coming on and congratulating myself on a job well done – the lights began to flutter and flicker. I took the cover off and made sure they were installed correctly. Then I flicked the switch on once again. Flutter, flicker, flutter, flicker…until finally the lights came on.

I had lights once again – but I knew it was not for long. It was not just the bad bulbs but the ballast in the entire light fixture. The entire fixture would need to be replaced. So why this long drawn-out explanation of this common household problem?

It made me think of my need for light in life!

We all need light in our lives. We need light to live by, to illuminate our pathway, and to warm our souls. The world searches for this light in so many places. Yet, the Scriptures make it very clear. There is only one source of light that brings life!

“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”

It is easy for us to forget this simple but profound truth. We can approach life like a trip to the local Ace Hardware. When we face problems or difficulties we try to fix it ourselves. We do everything we know how to do and then we flip the switch. Even with our best efforts we only get a flicker or a flutter. Why is this?

It is because we are not the source of life!

Jesus is both our light and our life. He came to reveal the heart of the Father and to show us how to live a life that is pleasing to the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We don’t need to replace the bulbs in our lives – we need a new fixture (heart)!

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (Joh 1:4-5 NKJV)

The light of life that Jesus gives is an everlasting light. It is stronger than the LED lights that the world offers. It will never dim, never fail, and never lead us astray. The world cannot extinguish this light. Satan tried to destroy the light once but Jesus rose victoriously as the eternal light that offers eternal life to all who will believe.

This is such a simple truth. Yet, it is a truth I miss so often. I approach life with a spreadsheet and a calculator in hand. Yet, I cannot light even one step before another. I can only see this very moment. Yet, the One who holds eternity in His hands sees both this very moment and every step that I will take in my life. He not only sees these steps – He brings His light to shine upon the path that He has called me to take.

Lord, if You are my light, if You are my life – then help me to seek You first in everything I do. Forgive me for the times that I forge ahead and forget to seek You first. Help me to seek You and Your Kingdom before I seek anything else! Be my light and my life!

“For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psa 18:27-28 NKJV)

In Jesus’ Name!