The Light from Within

I came from a pretty “bright” place. I had a safe home, a loving family, plenty to eat, a bed to sleep in. I was able to go to good schools, I attended church, I went on to college and even graduate school. I married a wonderful man and we raised two beautiful children. There wasn’t a lot of darkness where I was from. Thankfully.

Finding the Bridge

But, as God led me on this journey, I came to realize there is a very dark world—not very far from mine. People do life there every day, dealing with things I could not have even imagined. It was just on the other side of town, and yet it seemed worlds away. It was almost like two islands—one very bright and shiny, the other dark and gloomy. Separated by housing affordability, school districts, and job options, it was easy to stay on your own island and never venture across the ocean of indifference that lies between “us” and “them.” Yet, somehow, I found myself on this bridge that led to the other island. I found myself tentatively venturing across, meeting people on the bridge. Others who had felt the call to the dark island. And people who were trying to escape from it. 

It was a rickety bridge, fraught with obstacles and challenges. There is a tension that tugs on you as you wrestle between your own human desires and the call God has placed on your life. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. There were many times where I just wanted to run back to my island and pull up the drawbridge! And, at times, I would retreat to the safety of comfort and familiarity. But I am thankful that God gave me the perseverance to return to the bridge. To even cross over at times and wander in their world. To experience their island. It has been transformational—for me and, I hope, the people he sent me to.

Boldly Begin the Crossing

God calls us to find these bridges that lead into the darkness and to boldly begin the crossing. He commands us to go therefore and make disciples of all [islands]. Seek out the least and the lost. Care for the widow and the orphan. We would honestly rather stay on our shiny island, comfortable and safe. But if we deny the call, we will miss the fruits of obedience. Who is on the other side of the bridge, waiting in the dark for you to bring the light? 

And honestly, as challenging as the bridge might be, you meet the most amazing people there. You find people who are really seeking after God’s own heart, people who truly hunger to know him and to do his bidding. Many of these are fellow sojourners who have left the bright island to carry the light into the darkness.

You will also find those who are escaping the darkness, and they are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet! They have realized the depth of their depravity. They fully acknowledge their need for a Savior. And they have met him!! And they shine. With a brightness, honestly, that is brighter and somehow different from so many on the bright island. It is a light that comes from within. Not a superficial, shiny light that seems more like a thin veneer. It has the warm glow of a welcoming porch light, bidding, “Come! Let me tell you of the God who saved me. Let me tell you about Jesus!” 

What Light Do We Carry?

There was a sad realization that some of the light—too much of the light—on the bright island was more like the blue-tinted coolness of fluorescent bulbs that produce harsher illumination. Rather than a warm welcoming glow, there tended to be an interrogating exposé as this bright, artificial light is cast on the sins of others—the accuser blinding the accused, hiding their own sin behind the blinding brilliance of that same light. And then there are false lights on the bright island . . .  like comfort and control, pleasure and power. Shiny, but superficial. There is warm, welcoming light on the bright island, to be certain. It can just be harder to see amidst all the false light. 

My travels on the bridge have helped me see the stark difference between the artificial light of judgmental religion and the true light of a repentant sinner filled with the Holy Spirit. You know those aerial images taken by satellites as they circle the earth? The ones that show the bright lights of New York City and the nearly pitch black of the Amazon jungle? I have produced my own mental, aerial images of the islands and the bridge. 

There is the bright island that is shiny and twinkly, but there is a harsh brilliance and a false allure. Kind of like a bug zapper. Bright and shiny—but it can kill. And then there is the dark island that is almost absent of light, but then . . .  what is that? A twinkle. A bright spot shimmering somewhere in the darkness. There are more flickers than I had once thought. Bright lights scattered throughout the dark island. Beacons of hope. How brave of them to stay.

And then I can make out the bridge, a narrow path between the islands, with bright lights crossing back and forth.  And like a moth drawn to the flame, the warmth of this light beckons the unbeliever. This is the light that will save. And as I watch the lights on the bridge, I suddenly realize…some people from the dark island are carrying light to the bright island! It became clear to me, your light isn’t defined by where you come from—it’s where your light comes from. I would take the soft glow of a few beautiful souls filled with the light from within over a whole island of people with artificial light. I am honored to be called to the bridge. I will stand in the tension. May I bring light to the darkness . . .  including the darkness that masquerades as light.

 “Now this was the sin of your sister

Sodom: She and her daughters were

arrogant, overfed and unconcerned;

they did not help the poor and needy.”

Ezekiel 16:49 NIV

“Watch and pray so that you will not

fall into temptation. The spirit is

willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 NIV

“For God, who said, “Let light shine

out of darkness,” made his light shine

in our hearts to give us the light of the

knowledge of God’s glory displayed

in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

“For such people are false

apostles, deceitful workers,

masquerading as apostles of Christ.

And no wonder, for Satan himself

masquerades as an angel of light. It is

not surprising, then, if his servants also

masquerade as servants of

righteousness. Their end will be

what their actions deserve.”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NIV