Reading In The Dark
One of my favorite times of day is twilight. Just when the sun is starting to go down below the horizon until just before it gets dark. There is something special about that time of day no matter what time of year. Whether it is in the winter the way everything seams to have a blue tone to it with a full moon and the snow reflecting the light all around, or on those late summer nights when the sun does not go down until 10 pm here in Idaho, it never fails to amaze. The warmth of the day fading as the sky turns all different colors of the rainbow is just special.
In fact, my kids have called that time at dawn and dusk "rainbow time" ever since they were little. They would get so excited and call the family to the window to witness "rainbow time" when they looked out or noticed the beauty that was in the sky.
Simply gorgeous. and not that different than this picture here:
In fact, my kids have called that time at dawn and dusk "rainbow time" ever since they were little. They would get so excited and call the family to the window to witness "rainbow time" when they looked out or noticed the beauty that was in the sky.
Simply gorgeous. and not that different than this picture here:
But have you ever been out on the back porch or been reading or enjoying a board game or time with friends when the sun was up and then all of a sudden realize that it is dark outside and you are straining to see the pages you are reading or the faces of your friends as you chat about the day, or the game pieces on the table?
Even though it has slowly been getting darker over a period of time, it seems like it happened all of a sudden. It's as if you suddenly are aware that things are dark, but the truth is, it has been a slow process of fading light that took place over the course of an hour or more that brought you to this dark moment. When we are engaged with a good book, good friends, good food, and good fun we often fail to notice the subtle changes taking place in our environment.
And it gives us something we can consider this week as we look to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus.
We are just entering the season leading up to the celebration of Easter, which is always such a fun and special time with family as we celebrate Christ conquering the grave and providing unmerited grace to the entire world with His death on a cross and resurrection from the grave.
It is a season of BRIGHT SUNSHINE and for many people it is a season where they have walked out of the darkness of their lives into the light of salvation.
Often times though, if we are not careful, we can find the light fading in our lives. We allow ourselves to get comfortable with things that we maybe should not be as comfortable as we are. We begin to pitch our tents close to the line because we can still "see" clearly. We convince ourselves that there is still enough light to enjoy what we are doing and how we are living, and if we are not careful we begin to see ourselves living our lives in the deep end of 1 John 1:8 (which is not the place you want to be living your life)
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:8
The danger lies right in that moment.
And before we are aware of it, we find that it is dark outside and we wonder what time it is, and just as we have lost track of time we can lose track of our life.
So many people have ended up down dark roads in their lives and when asked about it, they often will tell you they have no idea how they got there. Even though they may not be able to put their finger on an exact moment, it all started somewhere, and often it is when we allow ourselves to get comfortable with the darkness.
But we have been called out of darkness. When we see light we move toward it and this last Christmas, in the series, "What Child Is This", we walked through Isaiah 9:2-9 on Sunday mornings, looking at the hope that Christ brought when he was born. A hope that shined so brightly that the darkness fled. A light that lit the path for people to move away from walking in darkness. Jesus is that light that has shone so that we no longer have to walk in darkness.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[d] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. - Isaiah 9:2-7
When we become a disciple of Christ, we turn and move from walking in darkness to instead, walking in the light.
1 Peter 2:9 says: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
in 2024, the men of CityHope Church have begun an 11 study on the book of 1 John. In all of John's writings he points the division of light and dark. In the book of 1 John, he writes to the church in Ephesus about the fact that there is a choice to make and we cannot live our lives on both sides of the fence at the same time.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:5-8
God is Light! and we cannot claim to walk with him while living our lives in the darkness. We are called to walk in the light. We are called to Practice the Truth.
I love this phrase because with practice comes failure, with practice comes sweat, with practice comes victory, with practice comes setbacks, with practice comes team, with practice comes coaching, with practice comes increased ability, with practice comes proficiency, with practice comes confidence, with practice we see, in increasing measure, the fruits of the spirt flourishing in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), with practice we find it easier practice the spiritual disciplines that help us to grow deeper in our relationship with God through Christ, with practice we grow in our faith,
With practice....
And we do this when we walk in the light, and walk in His truth. But how well lit is the path you are walking? When we stumble around in the dark we tend to fall down. When we try to read in the dark we strain our eyes and it is hard to understand what we are attempting to read.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105
Everything about this passage in 1 John is active. walking, practicing, proclaiming and fellowship. Our faith was meant to be lived and be lived in community where we practice the truth and walk in the light.
So just like at "rainbow time" in my house, when you see that things are getting dimmer and "rainbow time" is upon you, see it as the beauty that it is. See it as a beautiful reminder to move toward the light. to walk in the light and not in the darkness. Let it be a reminder to you for areas where you may have allowed yourself to walk to close to the line (or fully crossing over into it) of darkness.
Let the beauty of "rainbow time" remind you of the amazing grace of God who has called you out of darkness
1. How are your practices going?
2. What are some things that you need to change in your practice routine?
3. Write down one thing you want to be begin "practicing" this week and then make a plan for how you will see that happen and start your journey walking in the light.
Even though it has slowly been getting darker over a period of time, it seems like it happened all of a sudden. It's as if you suddenly are aware that things are dark, but the truth is, it has been a slow process of fading light that took place over the course of an hour or more that brought you to this dark moment. When we are engaged with a good book, good friends, good food, and good fun we often fail to notice the subtle changes taking place in our environment.
And it gives us something we can consider this week as we look to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus.
We are just entering the season leading up to the celebration of Easter, which is always such a fun and special time with family as we celebrate Christ conquering the grave and providing unmerited grace to the entire world with His death on a cross and resurrection from the grave.
It is a season of BRIGHT SUNSHINE and for many people it is a season where they have walked out of the darkness of their lives into the light of salvation.
Often times though, if we are not careful, we can find the light fading in our lives. We allow ourselves to get comfortable with things that we maybe should not be as comfortable as we are. We begin to pitch our tents close to the line because we can still "see" clearly. We convince ourselves that there is still enough light to enjoy what we are doing and how we are living, and if we are not careful we begin to see ourselves living our lives in the deep end of 1 John 1:8 (which is not the place you want to be living your life)
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:8
The danger lies right in that moment.
And before we are aware of it, we find that it is dark outside and we wonder what time it is, and just as we have lost track of time we can lose track of our life.
So many people have ended up down dark roads in their lives and when asked about it, they often will tell you they have no idea how they got there. Even though they may not be able to put their finger on an exact moment, it all started somewhere, and often it is when we allow ourselves to get comfortable with the darkness.
But we have been called out of darkness. When we see light we move toward it and this last Christmas, in the series, "What Child Is This", we walked through Isaiah 9:2-9 on Sunday mornings, looking at the hope that Christ brought when he was born. A hope that shined so brightly that the darkness fled. A light that lit the path for people to move away from walking in darkness. Jesus is that light that has shone so that we no longer have to walk in darkness.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[d] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. - Isaiah 9:2-7
When we become a disciple of Christ, we turn and move from walking in darkness to instead, walking in the light.
1 Peter 2:9 says: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
in 2024, the men of CityHope Church have begun an 11 study on the book of 1 John. In all of John's writings he points the division of light and dark. In the book of 1 John, he writes to the church in Ephesus about the fact that there is a choice to make and we cannot live our lives on both sides of the fence at the same time.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:5-8
God is Light! and we cannot claim to walk with him while living our lives in the darkness. We are called to walk in the light. We are called to Practice the Truth.
I love this phrase because with practice comes failure, with practice comes sweat, with practice comes victory, with practice comes setbacks, with practice comes team, with practice comes coaching, with practice comes increased ability, with practice comes proficiency, with practice comes confidence, with practice we see, in increasing measure, the fruits of the spirt flourishing in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), with practice we find it easier practice the spiritual disciplines that help us to grow deeper in our relationship with God through Christ, with practice we grow in our faith,
With practice....
And we do this when we walk in the light, and walk in His truth. But how well lit is the path you are walking? When we stumble around in the dark we tend to fall down. When we try to read in the dark we strain our eyes and it is hard to understand what we are attempting to read.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105
Everything about this passage in 1 John is active. walking, practicing, proclaiming and fellowship. Our faith was meant to be lived and be lived in community where we practice the truth and walk in the light.
So just like at "rainbow time" in my house, when you see that things are getting dimmer and "rainbow time" is upon you, see it as the beauty that it is. See it as a beautiful reminder to move toward the light. to walk in the light and not in the darkness. Let it be a reminder to you for areas where you may have allowed yourself to walk to close to the line (or fully crossing over into it) of darkness.
Let the beauty of "rainbow time" remind you of the amazing grace of God who has called you out of darkness
1. How are your practices going?
2. What are some things that you need to change in your practice routine?
3. Write down one thing you want to be begin "practicing" this week and then make a plan for how you will see that happen and start your journey walking in the light.
Posted in Pastor Ryan
Tagged with 1 John 1, Isaiah 9:2-7, Light, Darkness, Practice, Calling, Ryan Sherivk, Purpose
Tagged with 1 John 1, Isaiah 9:2-7, Light, Darkness, Practice, Calling, Ryan Sherivk, Purpose
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