Walking in darkness

It was nearly 40 years ago.  My first apartment after college.  I was pastor of evangelism at a growing church and just starting in ministry.  They were fun and exciting days.  My monthly salary was $364.00.  There wasn't much left at the end of the month, but it was never boring!

One of my new neighbors was about my age.  I don't remember what he did for a living...I don't even remember his name, but I do remember he was blind.  

One evening he invited me over for dinner.  I was glad for new friendships and looked forward to the visit.  His apartment was a mirror of mine, but much more basic in decor.  There were no pictures on the walls. I realized that pictures were useless to him.  Who needs pictures when you can't see them?  Furniture was very basic as well.  Any extra clutter just got in the way, something to trip over.  Decor was an unknown concept to my friend. I guess if you can't see it, it doesn't matter.

We had a great visit and the dinner was really good, but I soon realized something....it was getting dark outside and so it was inside as well.  My friend had no need of pictures on the walls, but soon I realized he had no need of lights either.  Gradually the darkness of the night outside settled into his apartment as well.

I didn't want to be rude, so I said nothing and tried my best to find my food on the plate and not sound strange as we visited in the dark.  It was normal for him. It was a memorable experience for me.  My friend never bothered with lights, so I'm sure it never came to his mind that I might need them. 

If all you know is darkness it's normal.  My friend had never seen, never known the experience of seeing, of color, of sunsets, of a baby smiling, the movement of the trees as the wind blows.  He didn't know what he was missing.  How could he? 

But once you know light, once you have really seen what's around you, life is never the same again. 

God uses the imagery of light and dark to contrast his kingdom with the world as it is...a world of darkness.  There couldn't be a more dramatic contrast.  All around us are people living in the light and people living in the dark.  Those who walk in the darkness have no idea what they are missing.  They don't worry about lights, about pictures on the walls, about a beautiful sunset, they don't even know.

People of the light are keenly aware of the difference between light and dark.  They see and enjoy it all. 

God's desire is to give sight and light to every man, to heal every blind eye, to illuminate every soul. God's desire is for everyone to come to the light, to see...  

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." -Jesus