The Light in the Darkness

Have you ever been in a cave? Your eyes adjust to the darkness, and gradually, you start finding your way in the dark. But when you return to daylight, you’re momentarily blinded. Only once your pupils shrink again can you see your surroundings clearly. In this light, you see both light and darkness. Spiritually, it’s no different: in Jesus’ light, you see true light.

Have you ever drifted away from His light, not knowing how to find your way back? Or perhaps there are people in your life who continually hurt you, people you feel don’t deserve your forgiveness. Jesus makes no distinction, whether you are the one who has hurt others or the one who has been hurt. He is always by your side to comfort you and remind you that He died so you could have a relationship with Him. No matter what you have done, Jesus can cast out even the deepest darkness in your life with His light. Jesus went to the cross for you, opening the way to the Father with His sacrifice. With His help, you can nail your selfish nature to His cross—whether it’s the desire to always be right or the need to always be the best.

But forgiveness isn’t a feeling you can turn on like a light switch. It begins with a willful decision to forgive; then, the feelings follow. God will do in you what you cannot do alone. After the step of obedience to forgive, inner transformation occurs, followed by the choice to no longer hold the other’s actions against them. To forgive is to let go of the memory of the other’s wrongdoing.

Yet, forgiveness doesn’t end with letting go of blame; it also involves interceding for your enemies. On the cross, Jesus prays for everyone involved in His crucifixion, meaning He also prays for you and me, saying, “Father, forgive these people, for they do not know what they are doing.” Through His sacrificial death, you are reconciled with God, and through His intercession, He brings light into the dark areas of your life.

Next Step: In which areas of your life do you struggle to forgive? Bring your accusations, your grievances, and your pain to the cross, and ask Jesus to help you forgive, filling you with His love and peace.