When you come out of a dark theater after seeing the afternoon matinee, it can be surprising how hard it is to adjust to the light. For a few moments,you blink away the darkness, and wait for your eyes to adjust to the brightness of the environment. You may pull out your sunglasses to help you see things more clearly.
Perhaps you have the same experience as you explore your faith. As you try to learn more about God, opening your heart and mind to new possibilities that may change your old thoughts, it can be difficult. The more you discard the old notions that keep you stuck in your manmade darkness, the more you discover the light God wants you to know.
Of course, you can get used to walking in the dark, not concerned about obstacles in the path. After all, you have a brilliant mind and you are a compassionate and reasonable person, so what more could there be to see that you don’t see now?
Helen Keller said, “If the blind put their hand in God’s, they find their way more surely than those who see, but have not faith or purpose.” Faith isn’t a one day event, a moment of simply accepting that God is real. Faith means that you have to keep looking for all the ways God wants to show up in your life. Faith means that you have to look again at the old ideas you’ve carried around that simply aren’t true, that have served only to keep you walking in the dark.
We sometimes say that people live by blind faith, but there can be no such thing! Faith is always directed, intentional, forward moving, heading for the light of all God wants us to understand. Faith lets the light in so we can see more clearly. Faith moves us closer to God with every intentional effort we make. It never leaves us wondering or worrying. It never judges us or forsakes us. It simply grows stronger as we keep looking for those things that make a difference and give us hope.
If you’re not sure if your faith is guiding you, then step closer to the One who is the Light of the World, and He will guide you safely onward. You don’t have to be challenged by the darkness, and if the light around you is dim, remember that God is always there, and you can always hear His voice. The more you stay tuned to His voice, the more your faith will guide you toward the light of genuine love and understanding.
Step out of the darkness, and look again! God has so much more for you to see wherever you may go.
