Have you ever been lost in the woods? For those who have, the first thought is how to find your way to safety. The number one danger is usually not the elements, lack of water, etc. It is panic. For those who do not survive, in most cases it was overwhelming fear that led to a bad situation becoming worse.
What is needed in such situations is a fixed, known and visible reference point...a focus. One of the most obvious of those is the night sky. Throughout the ages, people realized that focusing on the most prominent star they saw was not necessarily beneficial. Relative to us, most all of them move and the brightest are not even stars. Ancient Greeks deduced this early on, especially with Venus, noting that they varied widely, so they then named them from their verb planeo “to wander”...planets.
There are other ways of being lost. One can also be lost emotionally and spiritually. There, too, the biggest danger is the same. Soldiers and commanders who have been in combat will attest that fear and panic within are a greater enemy than the enemy themselves.
And then there is The Enemy. Getting back to the aforementioned star analogy, it is no accident that among his many names, several are very telling: in Latin, he is “light-bearer.” In ancient Hebrew, “the shining one.” Further, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:13,14.
There are multitudinous forms of false light/hope that seem right at first but ultimately are to our detriment, whether in the short or long term. Here again, fear often plays a part. This is especially true in times such as now, when what we knew as “normal” up until a few weeks ago currently isn’t.
It is now, especially now, that we must discern where true hope is found. We are, and ever have been, in need of guidance and hope that is true without question. The first step is to identify and deny the aforementioned endemic danger: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment...” 1 John 4:18
Jesus Christ is that perfect true love, evidenced for us by His death and resurrection for our sake. He took upon Himself all of our sin, including our fear, and left it nailed upon that cross. His resurrection bequeaths to all who believe in Him eternal life.
Amongst all of the false lights in our lives, He is the One True Light and He offers this to you, now. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Reader Comments(0)