“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3, NIV)

God speaks light into His creation. He’sthe epitome of light itself.

The sun’s light warms and nurtures our world, especially on June 21—the longest day of the year. Yet it’s the light of the Son that illuminates our spiritual lives. After all, we know that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).

When God’s light feels distant, we’re often walking through a valley of grief, sin, sadness, or depression.

It’s in these moments, where our faith is tested, we find ourselves asking:

“Where did the light go?”

“How can I walk in His light again?”

John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12, NIV)

Jesus Himself defined what He meant in the latter part of the verse. When we follow Jesus, we walk in the light of life. He is our bright and morning star, holding our hearts with goodness and grace (Revelation 22:16).

When we face days of darkness, it doesn’t mean that we’ve lost sight of His path (though occasionally that may be true). Sometimes it means that we’re facing something hard. Whether it’s physical sickness, a tough situation, or a tricky mental battle, the darkness has a way of snuffing out the light in our hearts.

Here’s what is true:

The darkness cannot, will not, and is never capable of snuffing out the light of Jesus.

Jesus will always win, no matter how hard the enemy tries, or how many times the light has escaped from our hearts. At the cross, He already had the final word. With His last breath, He traded our sin for His redemption. While we’re still in the process of being transformed, we can take heart knowing that He will always offer His light to heal our wounded hearts.

Jesus is truly the light of the world.

Practical steps to walk in the light: Serving others

Jesus knew we’d face these battles of darkness. In fact, He noted that as we follow Him, we’ll still have trouble in this world (John 16:33). The good news is that He’s overcome the world. When we put our trust in Him, our hearts are sheltered under the comfort of His embrace (Psalm 91). The more we bask in His light, the more we become “glow stick Christians” who can share His light with others.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV)

Like glow sticks, our faith is ignited when we’re cracked and shaken, activating our light. Through trials, God presses, prunes, and prepares us to reflect His light. When we cultivate habits that prioritize soaking in His light, we embrace our status as a child of God.

Here are tips to widen your walk in His light:

• Soak in Scripture: Break daily devotions and Bible readings into manageable bite-sized bits or do a daily Scripture study on the light of Christ.
• Practice prayer: Try using a prayer journal or find a prayer buddy so you can share life’s ups and downs, including both praises and prayer requests.
• Manage your mindset: Notice what you’ve been meditating on. Is it a mindset filled with the darkness of depression, or the life-giving light of Christ? If needed, contact a trusted friend, pastor, family member, or mental health professional to process your thoughts to get extra help.
• Cultivate community: Get involved in service projects or invite a friend to have coffee or tea. How can you encourage their hearts?

As glow stick Christians, we can show the light of Jesus to the world. Serving doesn’t always mean going overseas or tackling a grand ministry project (although it can, sometimes). The light should shine during the daily burdens we carry as brothers and sisters of Christ.

Whether it be sharing a kind word with a friend, offering to clean for a new mom, or showing kindness by taking a plate of cookies to the neighbor next door, showing the light of Jesus is incredibly practical. As CHM members, you have the unique opportunity to share each other’s eligible medical expenses, pray for a fellow member who submitted a request on the Prayer Wall, send notes of encouragement, and more. It’s all a direct reflection of lifting our needs to Christ!

Our world is filled with light and darkness. When we engage as image-bearers of Jesus, we reflect His light—the true light—to everyone. It might take a bit of “shaking” or “cracking” sometimes, but our souls will glow with the goodness of His love.