When my life and soul dip into low places, I am consumed by darkness. There is no light in sight, and I give darkness so much power. I don’t believe anything will overcome it, and the darkness feeds and expands off of this negative belief system. But simple observations and knowings always prove these tauntings false.
If the power goes out at your house in the middle of the night, your house will be dark. But when you turn on a flashlight, this beam of light breaks through darkness.
If you’re walking in the woods at night, it’s never fully dark. The sun reflecting off the moon generates a mesmerizing light that breaks through darkness.
During Christmas Eve service at my church, everyone is given a candle. At one moment, the lights are turned off, and the room falls completely dark. Then, slowly, a single flame is lit and passed from person to person down each row as we sing a soft, acoustic Silent Night. In a few short minutes, the large auditorium is painted in a warm glow. It moves me every time. There’s something profoundly beautiful about watching light break through darkness. And even more powerful is the sharing of light with others.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Revelation 3:20 (NIV), “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
From a biblical perspective and my own personal interpretation, this reflects how Jesus is always present, actively seeking us. He calls our name, knocking at the door of our lives, inviting us to let Him in. He wants to walk with us, to be part of our story, and to help carry our burdens. But the light only enters when the door is opened. We must be willing to receive the invitation. Only then can His light break through our darkness.
In a present-day, non-biblical sense, this verse reminds me that help is always available. During seasons of darkness, you have to be willing to seek it out. Support is right at your door, but you still have to choose to open it. And when you do, light inevitably pours in, breaking through the darkness every time without fail.
Choosing to get help in my life by going to therapy was me opening the door to let the light shine in. Texting my friends when I need to vent is opening the door to let the light shine in. Talking with my mentors for guidance is opening the door to let the light shine in. Going for a drive and blaring music that understands and inspires me is opening the door to let the light shine in. Petting my cat, Jet, and listening to him purr is opening the door to let the light shine in. No matter how deep the darkness feels, even the smallest action can offer a glimmer of hope and begin to pull me out of a rut.
However, light—the help—must be sought. It takes some work on your part.
In addition, you can’t receive help with closed fists; you have to open your hands to accept it. It may feel vulnerable to seek and accept help, but it’s worth it every time and can change your life for the better. Why risk and miss that kind of opportunity?
The darkness may feel overwhelming, but it is never absolute. Light is always present—waiting, patient, and ready to enter the moment you choose to let it in.
Choose and share light.
Side note: If you need a gentle reminder to let the light in, listen to “Open Up (Let the Light In)” by Steffany Gretzinger. Music is a huge part of my life—almost like a key to understanding it—and this simple song, in particular, inspired this writing.
Leave a Reply