And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” John 3:19
I’ve waited and waited. Finally, the sunrise is finally getting to a respectable time. As a “you’ve got to be kidding me” early riser, I am so glad that Mr. Sun has decided to join me…a little. The sunrise is finally down to a respectable 6:30 am which is a whole lot more respectable than 7:20 am or later. Of course, thanks to Daylight Savings Time we will lose that hour in just about ten days. I know, I know it stays light later in the evening but try telling that to my early genes.
Anyway, I noticed the other morning that when I looked toward the west it was still stone cold dark. I knew it was getting to be time for Mr. Sun to say good morning, but he sure seemed to be taking his time. A few minutes later and finally I could see that the darkness had slowly turned to a very dusky gray. It was going to happen again…God was sending us a new day. For whatever reason, I went out of my room to our bedroom which had an east-facing window. Imagine my surprise to discover the eastern sky was much, much lighter than the western sky.
While all that was expected that day it just seemed the difference was amazing. Looking one way, to the west, it seemed daylight was many long minutes away. Turn the other way, to the east, and daylight was happening right then. The bottom line was it all depended on which way you were going to look. At least for a few minutes, I got to choose light vs darkness. Soon it was all over but for that moment—it mattered, and I chose to look east.
I am certain many times we have that same choice to make in our lives. We get to choose whether to look to the darkness or to the light. We get to choose to embrace the light or plunge into the darkness. I know for me that morning, the choice was very easy, but can we be honest? Too often I choose to muddle in the darkness. When I do, it mars my day and sometimes my life, with negativity and grumble bumbles. Usually, on those days, I’m not happy with anything or anyone—including myself.
Jesus said in the New Testament part of the Bible that men naturally love darkness more than light and, as always, He was right. But what I find out is I choose that darkness not out of love but out of habit. Some of us are wired a little weird but that is certainly not an excuse. What if we started a new habit and determined to look through the eyes of Jesus? After all, he always saw things through the lens of His Father. What if we simply made our default view toward the sunrise and not the darkness of the west. I have a feeling it would be a game changer.
So, tomorrow morning if you are an early riser, remember this simple lesson. Remember that in most every situation there is a choice—toward the light or toward the darkness. It is our call. It is our choice. Jesus declared He was the light of the world and, well, it just makes sense we should seek Him…every time. Why? Well, the reason is simple. It helps us remember that “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 