“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” -Matthew 5:14

In a world often clouded by challenges and uncertainty, where our vision can be blurred due to unmet expectations, disappointments or other trials that may leave us feeling defeated, we can easily lose sight of ourselves and the light that resides in us.

Yes, I said in us.

Our light is a piece of Heaven inside of us. It has the ability to illuminate hidden corners of the human heart and heal dark places. 

What is Light?

Did you know the word “light” is used 272 times in the Bible?[1] It must be dear to God, based on its use in scripture! Light has been associated with God’s revelation, holiness, wisdom, grace, and hope. By contrast, darkness has been associated with sin, evil, and oppression.

What else do we know about light other than it being the opposite of dark? I always turn to the dictionary to peel away a word’s layers so I can better understand what it means.

Oxford Languages defines light as “the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.”[2]

I want to break this down for you because understanding light will help you better understand what you carry-- because what you carry is transformative.

Light makes things visible.

Without light, you cannot see.

Let that sink in for a moment.

I’m not talking about a physical light in a room. I am talking about the deeper things—the intangibles.

Without light, you can’t see the people in front of you who are reaching out to you in your darkness.

People who love you.

Without light, you cannot see where you are supposed to go because your path is not visible.

[1] https://www.jesusbelieverjd.com/bible-verses-about-light-in-the-new-testament-kjv/

[2] https://www.google.com/search?q=light+definitionWhat is Light?

Without light, you are blinded to the truth about situations and circumstances in your life

because you cannot see with clarity.

But with light, with light!

Your darkness is illuminated.

Psalm 18:28 says, “For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.”

Light gives us the ability to see in the dark. With light, we not only see the hands of our loved ones reaching out to us; we can take hold of them!

Light removes our fear of moving forward because we can see where we are going.       

Light is a natural agent

It’s interesting how light is described as a “natural agent.” The word “natural,” when used as an adjective, means “existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind.”[1]

Genesis 1:1-4 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw the light, and it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”

In other words, light is an existing matter—something found in the earth and not made by the hands of man—but created by God.

“Agent” is defined as “a thing that takes an active role or produces a specified effect.”[2] As it relates to light, the specified effect is to make objects and entities visible.

Ephesians 5:13 tells us, “But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

Our light is internal and overflows to the external. It may not have a color, but it is still visible to others and can bring visibility to others. We may not be able to touch it, but from a spiritual perspective, it can be seen.

Every one of our lights allows people to see with an eternal perspective.

Light Stimulates Sight

To stimulate means to “encourage development of or increased activity in (a state or process).”[3] When something is stimulated, an igniting occurs, then a transference of energy builds upon itself progressively, which causes a noticeable increase of activity in a state or process.

By definition, light encourages the development or increased activity in sight.

[1] https://dictionaryofdefinitions.blogspot.com/2016/02/what-is-meaning-definition-of-natural.html.

[2] https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/agent

[3] https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/stimulate

And don’t you want to be able to see?

The point I want to drive home to you is that darkness cannot overcome you because of the light inside you. You may be in a season where you feel like your light has gone out, but it is there. With this light, you will be able to see again. With this light, you will be able to move out of your darkness.

Ultimately, your light will give others permission to move out of their darkness.

Today, if you are feeling defeated, focus inward and remember you carry the light of Heaven inside you. Because of this, you can weather any storm, you can move forward from a place of stagnancy or defeat, and you can rise out of any darkness.