The villages of Rjukan, Norway, and Viganella, Italy, are both situated in deep valleys where mountains block the sun’s rays for up to six months every year.
Local medical Doctors have stated that the high illness count experienced by the residents of both villages was likely attributed to the lack of natural light. To solve the problem of darkness, engineers had to find a way to bring in the light. In 2006, engineers in Viganella built gigantic mirrors that track the sun and reflected daylight downward onto the village below. Rjukan followed suit in 2013. Today, both villages are illuminated during the darkest months of the year.
Once light was restored to the villages, the health of the residents improved. This shows that natural light is vital to our health. In the same way, spiritual light is vital to our spiritual health too.
Not only does spiritual light strengthen our spiritual health, but spiritual light illuminates our path so we can walk in the will of the LORD.
The Psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path” – Psalm 119:105.
Notice how the psalmist describes the Holy Scriptures as the spiritual light that guides us. The prophet Isaiah also wrote of this light.
Isaiah 9:2, The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
This passage may seem familiar. It is a passage often read around the Christmas season. For Isaiah, he wasn’t pointing to the Scriptures themselves as the light, but to the author of the Scriptures – the coming Messiah. Isaiah prophesied that Christ is the light that has come for those living in darkness.
The Apostle John testified to this light as well. Look carefully at the opening passage of his Gospel.
John 1: 1-5, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
Here John forges a more clear picture of this spiritual light as he reveals that Christ is both the Word and the Illuminator of truth to those living in darkness just as both the psalmist and Isaiah declared.
Then, Jesus Himself on the night before he was crucified, promised his followers that the He would send them His Holy Spirit and the Spirit would guide them into all truth:
John 16: 13, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
How wonderful. When you turn to Christ from your own spiritual darkness, He is the light that brings to you Salvation. He then gives you a spiritual rebirth and His Holy Spirit begins to illuminate truth to you through His Scriptures and gives guidance for your life.
Over the next few blog posts, we are going to be looking at how the first disciples of Jesus devoted themselves to Christ and His Word. Their devotion led them to employ spiritual disciplines in their lives and their faith was put into motion. Like the first followers of Jesus, may we walk in the light and be a witness to those around us.
Have you received the light of God’s truth and Salvation? If you want to receive this light you can right now.
Sincerely pray and ask Christ to come shed the light of His grace and forgiveness upon you.
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, the Light of the World. You came to this earth, lived a sinless life, died to pay for my sins and arose from the grave. I place my faith in you and receive you as my LORD. Forgive my sins and grant me eternal life. Adopt me now into your family and open my understanding to your Word. This I pray…Amen.”
Pursuing Truth with Chris Vaught 