The Darkness of Self-centeredness Flees
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
Jesus shines. The Scriptures will never let us overlook the truth that Jesus shines in the darkness. Jesus shone in a world filled with hopelessness, strife, and self-righteousness. So, he and his ways shine in our lives when we feel the tinges of all of those areas of darkness, and more. Jesus shines to show us the way to the Father.
Jesus came to be a light for our world. And, think of how the world needs the Lord Jesus. Self reigns in the world—and self-focused thinking creeps into our Christianity too. But, God did not make us to focus on self; he made us to focus on our God and live for him. He made us to find a way of life that could benefit others and heft all of the praise of our lives onto God, and not onto ourselves.
When we start thinking highly of ourselves, darkness creeps into our lives. When we fail to give God the thanks for the accomplishments we accrue, darkness creeps into our lives. When we think that we are great and fail to see ourselves in light of the true greatness of God, again, darkness creeps into our lives. We were not made for these loads of darkness. Only the light of the knowledge of God will free us. When Jesus comes, he sweeps through our minds and reorients our thinking. Our gifts, our good accomplishments, our abilities—they all come from God without whom we would have nothing.
The light of Jesus shines in the darkness of self-centeredness. It tears us away from what we thought we needed—to become great and accomplished in this world. His light causes us to accept his purposes for our lives, even when we won’t accomplish what we wanted, what we hoped, what we conceived of. Jesus’ way is better because it’s all about him. And fear not—though the darkness of self-centeredness is great, the light of God is greater—and it truly does change us.
My dear Jesus, I am sorry for the ways that I have lived for myself. I am sorry for the ways I have thought of myself instead of you. I am sorry for the ways that I have sought greatness or grandness. I am sorry. You are great, and your light makes this darkness in my life flee. You love faithfulness to you, and seeking your honor and glory down into the very corners of my life. You love when all of the greatness and glory are ascribed to you. And this is truly a different way of life—to live for you first. It is a blessed way of life. Let me take it up all the more. Correct me and be the light for my path, my Savior, I ask. Amen.
To Show Me the Way
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).
Jesus came to earth to show us the way of life. Think of the way that he interacted with people in great compassion. Think of how he lived a meager life here for eternal glory in times to come. Think of how he performed healing miracles—giving us way to know that he is God of very God. Think of how he was humble and lowly with those who were burdened and had questions. Think of the way that he brought comfort and peace to those who were grieving. Think of how he submitted to the will of the Father—even when it cost him everything—showing us that we must also die to ourselves. Think of how Jesus prayed and prayed and prayed—staying connected to the Father all of his life.
Jesus did these things and so much more. His way of life, then, illumines our path. When we wonder how to act and be, we can go to the life of Jesus to find ourselves impressed with the beauty of his version of humanity. His way was hope and life and peace. His way was everything we need to know about what beauty in the form of frailty looks like. He took our body upon himself—the flesh of all mankind. And, he became obedient and resilient in all of his ways.
He was born of woman that we might be born again in him—unto a new way of life that is characterized by serving and humble steps with our God. Jesus lights the way for us. He is the Word, who lived and breathed and showed us how to truly live. May we emulate Jesus Christ in his marvelously humble life. If God can be that humble, surely we creatures can humble ourselves unto his way.
Dear Jesus, thank you that your life provided light for my path and footing for my steps. You are beautiful. The way that you lived your life here is stunning in majesty. For you set aside your heaven to come to earth for us. And, that is more that my mind can lay hold to understanding. But, I thank you for it. I love you for it. I need it. It’s gloriously kind. I pray that your patterns of life would become my patterns of life. Let me be more like you, my Light and Life. Thank you for coming to show me the way. Amen.