From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Ever notice how things appear in a dimly lit room? Soft lights mitigate some of the stark realities like the stains on the carpet and the chips and cracks on the furniture. Even imperfections on your clothing like small rips and tears or the drop of coffee or gravy that made its way to the front of your shirt. Yup, being in the dark cloaks the realization of the imperfections, so much so, you have the false notion that they are not there. But the darkness cannot cover the truth, it only covers the reality…the imperfection is there, it does exist, but you are blinded to it.

Well, you can’t see any imperfections, at least not until the light is turned on. In a bright light, all imperfections are seen for what they are. It’s like that in the Lord. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I want that, I hope you do, too. Without it, we can be so grievously deceived.

In my first book, “The Climb” (still available on Amazon, along with the second one, “DMR-5, The Next Generation”), I use an illustration of the danger of being in the dark. If you were in a darkened room, you could reach down to the floor to pick up what you thought was a rope, but in reality is a snake that will bite you. Or you may cuddle up to what you think is a little kitten but is really a rat that will eat your heart out.

So, only in a bright light can you detect the dangers as they really are. And so it is spiritually. Only in the light of God’s truth can you see the actual moral and social issues, thus knowing what to put your hand to and what to avoid.

Satan and his minions live in the darkness and are eager to assure you join them there. But remember, it is only dark when you back away from the source of light. The closer you are to Jesus, the less you will be deceived. Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

---