Yesterday I heard someone define breakthrough as never doubting in the darkness what God has spoken to us in the light. It got me thinking…(there I go again!). And what I thought is that we often confuse the darkness with the light.
I think it’s a common error to perceive “the light” as what we can clearly see, with our physical eyes. And, conversely, we tend to perceive what we cannot see, with our physical eyes, as darkness.
In actuality, the opposite is true. The times when our physical senses reign and speak are the times of darkness. Why? Because they lack the overruling influence of the true light, which is God Himself. We are blinded by the absence of spiritual vision. We see plainly, but we do not see truth.
Scripture helps to direct us here: “So we don’t look at the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
In the moments where our eyes see clearly but our spirits are blinded, these are the times we most need to reach for the light. We must not become convinced by what we see, but instead remember what God has spoken, and hold it up to our circumstances as a lamp in the darkness.
The darkness can be convincing, I admit. When God is silent, trials are not. They agree with hell’s agenda and seem to shout over us that what we see is all there is. They seem to be a glaring light, intent on gaining our agreement. A sense of hopelessness, discouragement and frustration rise. But we must remember that these are the marks of darkness, not light. And God promises that, even in our darkness, He is there. And where He is, there is light. So we just have to learn to turn it on!
This is how we move from seeing only darkness to seeing the light, even dwelling in the light: we reach for the switch. In essence, this equates to remembering what God, Who is light, has promised us in the light – those times when He is actively speaking and revealing: in our prayer closet, at the altar, in our dreams, in that song, through that friend who called us to offer encouragement, through that knowing deep in our souls that just won’t be capsized. These are the moments of light. The moments when truth breaks into our lives and causes us to see things as they really are – not as they appear to be.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your REAL LIFE (emphasis mine) is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
The storm is not the reality. The reality is what’s happening beneath the ground, as the pouring rain is seeping into the cracks of our souls and the hand of God is there producing a life we cannot yet see. When we can’t see, we think we’re in darkness. But in truth, wherever God’s Word speaks, there is light! Oh, let us not confuse the two!
Our moments in the light of God’s presence are meant to retain their glow factor. They are meant to be recalled when we come face to face with the glaring “light” of our difficulties. They are meant to out-shine whatever spotlight we find ourselves standing in. Spotlights expose and condemn. We melt under the heat of their exposure. But true light proves. And what is proved in the light of the world – in Jesus – is a truth we can never live up to on our own. Hope comes alive there. Life blossoms there.
Whatever you are facing today, don’t be deceived into believing it is truth. Darkness threatens, and darkness lies. It is the truth that brings strength and confidence. So close your eyes and look for the glowing light which carries the promise of God over your situation. Seek the true light of God’s presence in the Words He has spoken or is speaking to your heart. And then agree with it. Declare it again! And let that become what you see, today, and for all your days.
She Dances Over Graves 