Light in the Darkness: An Invitation to Walk Seven Miles with God's Light

Walking the Emmaus Road - Introduction to a 7-Part Series on God's Light After this introduction post, read Part 1: Let There Be Light: When God Creates Light

Have you ever felt that primal anxiety when the lights go out? Join me on a seven-week journey exploring God's Light through Scripture - from creation's first "Let there be light" to our calling as lights in the world. We'll walk the Emmaus Road together, discovering seven distinct ways God uses light to overcome darkness in our lives. No seminary degree required - just a willingness to let the Holy Spirit illuminate truth as we go.

A Light in the Darkness

When Light in the Darkness Becomes Personal

Have you ever reached for the light switch...clicked it...and nothing happened? It may have been due to a power outage, a burned-out bulb, a blown circuit breaker, or maybe you forgot to connect the electrical plug to the outlet.

Or maybe you used the "clapper" like Jim Carey's character, "Bruce" in the movie "Bruce Almighty." You know, clap on, clap off! Or what if you ask Siri to turn on the lights, and she ignores you, like a prom queen being asked out by the water boy? Typically, you feel the POWER, as if you are God, saying..."Let there be light!" Not this time, amigo.

A hint of anxiety creeps in. There is NO LIGHT. You scramble to find a solution, a substitute. A flashlight, a candle, a firefly, anything that reassures you that the light is still there. The feeling isn't simply physical; I can't see where I am going.

It's something deeper, unconscious, primordial. The inner knowing that something essential is missing and without it the chaos of darkness will overtake you...body, mind, and spirit.

And when the light finally shines in the darkness, it's as if God puts His arm around your shoulder and says, "It's all okay. You don't need to worry. I AM in control of the Light."

Walking the Emmaus Road Together

As we begin this seven-part series on the many faces of God's Light, I'd like you to think of us as traveling companions walking the road to Emmaus as described in Luke 24:13-35. But instead of discussing Jesus, we are talking about God's Light.

We are amazed that the New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (King James Version) lists 267 verses that talk specifically about "Light." It is a consistent topic found across the Old and New Testaments.

And this number of verses doesn't even consider the variations of 'Light,' such as 'lighted.' As we look at how God's Light is presented in each verse, we begin to see that God has given us a structure from which to study His Light.

We have identified seven distinct ways to look at His Light without going blind; however, sunglasses are recommended. Because, as the musical group Timbuk 3 wisely noted, "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" Timbuk 3

The road our first-century brothers walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus was about seven miles of dusty road. No doubt they sat for a moment to relax as they continued their discussions.

I'd like us to stop... sit under a shade tree...grab a drink of Living water...and talk about what those seven categories of Light God has illuminated for us.

We will delve just enough to whet our appetite for the walks to come, but not so deeply that we would both need to be biblical scholars and fluent in ancient languages.

No, the Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know when we discuss it. If you agree, let's discuss those seven categories (or umbrellas) as we sit under a shade tree.

Seven Categories of God's Light

Category 1: When God Creates Light - You know, like that very first moment in Genesis when God said "Let there be light" and boom - light appeared before there was even a sun or moon. It's almost like God was setting up the foundation for everything else that would follow.

Category 2: When God Shows Up as Light - Think about Moses and the burning bush, or that pillar of fire leading the Israelites. It's like God uses light as His calling card when He wants to make His presence known in a big way.

Category 3: When God's Truth Shines as Light - Remember that verse about God's Word being "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"? It's like divine truth illuminates our understanding, helping us see clearly what we couldn't see before.

Category 4: When Jesus Declares "I AM the Light" - This one's huge. Jesus didn't just say He brings light or points to light - He claimed to BE the light. That's either the most audacious statement ever made, or the most profound truth in the universe.

Category 5: When Light Rescues Us from Darkness - This is about salvation - being "called out of darkness into His marvelous light." It's the moment spiritual light breaks into our personal darkness.

Category 6: When We Become Light Ourselves - Jesus told us, "You are the light of the world." Wait, what? How do we go from being rescued BY light to actually BEING light?

Category 7: When Light Wins Forever - The ultimate destination where Revelation says we won't need the sun anymore because God Himself will be our light. No more darkness, ever.

What This Journey Will Look Like

Now that we've "seen the Light" of each category, we can talk about what this journey will look like. First, it isn't a journey that will examine every scripture verse in each category.

Just like a road-trip vacation, you can't see every roadside attraction unless you plan on taking a very long vacation. Instead, you'll pick out select attractions, take pictures, and use those snapshots to capture the essence of your vacation.

Let's do something similar, shall we? We can take a few representative verses as we discuss the category, go into as much depth as the Holy Spirit directs, consistent with our spiritual maturity, and then move on.

Perhaps there will be another sojourner who meets us on the road and helps to enlighten us to new ways of seeing God's Light? This is part of the adventure and perhaps answers the question, "Why are we here?"

You may be wondering what you'll experience beyond an academic discussion, like two philosophers pondering the meaning of life. I honestly don't know; however, God's word tells us that where two or three (or more) He will be present.

Since His word is always trustworthy, I believe you and I (and perhaps countless others) will experience a "chill" when you feel His presence, and it is unmistakable. We are simply showing up, inviting Him into the conversation, and enjoying our own walk to Emmaus.

As I write this invitation and introduction to you, I'd "like" to say that we will meet once a week to discuss one category each week. However, if I did that, I would be assuming command of this journey rather than allowing God to shine His Light on His terms and timing.

Thus, if you are agreeable, let's just commit to starting our Light-infused journey, show up together to walk and talk, and stick with it until we've discussed what God wants us to know. We can always circle back and catch other sights or verses in the future.

For now, check back daily for updates! We'll get this adventure into the nature of God's Light going quickly. I am looking forward to learning alongside you, my brothers and sisters.

Ready to Begin This Light-Infused Adventure?

Ready?

One final note as we conclude this first seven-mile walking and talking journey: I'd like to invite you to watch the following YouTube video, which depicts the Walk to Emmaus.

It will help you see what we are trying to capture in our discussions, but it focuses on the One for whom the Light shines. Without Jesus, there is eternal darkness... no substitutionary light switch to separate you from eternal darkness. He is our guiding Light!

The Road to Emmaus