John 1:5 When light shines in darkness

"And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

- John 1:5

When I read this verse, the first thing that came to mind was the 21 Coptics persecuted for their faith and love of Christ. At their darkest hours, they kneeled praying, and still, they shone brightly, if not brighter than ever. Whenever I see that Image, I see every one of them shining bright, ready to enter the kingdom of heaven and to be received in the arms of Christ. They shone in Honor and joy; I saw no fear. 21 Lanterns have Lit up the world and brought it from the darkness.

A beautiful passage to read, especially on your darkest days. Hope. This passage reminds us that even in our darkest days, God's light still shines through. His presence in our lives is the light directing our path.

" In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." - John 1:4

In the beginning, the earth was a dark place with no light. God created the sun with just one word, and then there was light. I always thought of the natural light of the sun that shone in bright daylight. But after reading through John 1:1-5, I realized maybe the light that shone on earth wasn't the literal meaning of the sun but from God's word itself.

"He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." -John 8:12

We are given two options. Either to remain living in darkness or to walk in the light. Following Christ means carrying our lanterns of commitment. Those lanterns guide us the way to Him while shining on others. Just as said in Matthew5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." I lived in darkness for many years, lost and wandering. Let me tell you that it was challenging. One day I caught a glimpse of a ray of light. Running towards it as I got closer, it got brighter, and suddenly life was bright and full of light, and the shadow was no longer my companion. The light inside me shone so brightly that I couldn't keep it to myself, and I felt it would be selfish. I wanted to share with others the joy it brought me. I wanted to take others out of that darkness the same way God got me. Besides, why keep the world in the dark when we can reflect God's light onto them? Christ asked us not to keep the light hidden to ourselves or among ourselves but to share the light with others, especially those who need it the most.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

As lantern carriers, we must guide others through the dark path. Imagine walking in the dark with no light guiding us? Where should we go? Which direction should we take? Many seek this light. Knowing His word gave us the responsibility to hold it like a lantern and share it among others.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

-Matthew 5:16

How can we share Christ's light with those who live in the dark? Is it by preaching alone? No.

Christ bestowed on us as the children of light as Paul mentioned in Ephesians 5:8 " For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." With Baptism, we are reborn and given the Holy Spirit. KnowingGod, and His words, we are given the light of knowledge. Being the children of God means being the children of light. That means we should walk in the same way as God, in love, with purity and compassion and be a pure reflection of Him to the world.