I Am Light, episode 84 (rebroadcast)

0:00 If you love a prodigal, you can discover help and hope for your wilderness journey right here when you love a prodigal. And also help and hope for your own life journey. Last week we looked at the first of seven I Am's that Jesus called himself. Names that assure us that he is everything we need in life. And that's going to help us make it through our wilderness journey. Today we look at a second I Am that is very meaningful to me.

0:40 Be sure to jot down what it might mean for you. Jidu! That's my grandmother name. Jidu! It's dark! My grandson was spending the night. He whimpered, I'm afraid of the dark. After a few reassurances and a night light, he went back to sleep. I understand, I'm a little afraid of the dark too. Just the other night my husband was gone and the wind was howling. Clouds cloaked the moon and heavy rain completed the darkness.

1:20 Then the noise started. Repeated sounds like someone walking downstairs. Should I panic? What will I do? No, I know that noise I thought. I've heard it before. It's just the tree branches blowing against and scraping against the windows. My fear subsided. But still I prefer light, not dark. I turn lights on, I open blinds, close off dark rooms. I'm grateful that my ever-present phone, except when I forget it, gives me instant access to light.

2:04 So are you afraid of the dark? Most of us wisely have some fear of the dark because bad things can happen in the dark. Little things like I stumble and stub my toe. Or I get lost, especially driving where I'm not familiar. I even have accidents because I can't see where I'm going. But even more, there is evil, sometimes terrible evil, lurking in the darkness. So I want a nightlight in the hall, a flashlight on the path, headlights on the car, streetlights on the road, and sunshine in the sky.

2:51 I love light. But too often, perhaps now, our world seems very dark. And our journey with our prodigals can be a significant reason for the darkness that we experience day to day. But gratefully, there is a light. His name is Jesus. We first learn about his gift of light to us in John chapter 1. In him, John writes, was life. And that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

3:37 He goes on and says, There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself, John, was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. And of course, that light was Jesus. Probably, you prefer light over darkness. Most people do.

4:17 And hopefully, you have discovered the light of Jesus in your life. But perhaps you make occasional visits to the darkness, because we are not perfect. We make bad choices. We sin. Then that light of Jesus living in us breaks through and expels the darkness and leads us back into the light. But some do prefer darkness. John tells us more about light and darkness. He said, God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

4:59 Sadly, this refers to many of our prodigals. They are choosing, at least at this time, to spurn the light and love the darkness. They make sad choices. They get lost. They put their lives at risk. They break our hearts. They abandon the lighted path that God gives them and stumble around in the dark. But one day, in answer to our prayers, and because of God's faithful love, Jesus will stand before them and speak these words, I am the light of the world.

5:42 And on that day, we pray they receive that statement and the words that follow. This is Jesus saying, If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness. Because you will have the light that leads to life. So how do they get that? Where does this happen? When do they decide to choose light over darkness? Because the light can shine through us. Often, we will be the conveyors of that light. You see, if Jesus, through his Spirit, dwells in you, and you become the light, that's what Jesus is talking about.

6:26 In fact, he says this amazing thing. I mean, think about this. Jesus said, You, that's you and me. You are the light of the world. Okay, it's one thing when Jesus says he is the light of the world. But then when he says we are the light of the world, how is that possible? Because he's living in us through his Spirit. He says, You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house.

7:09 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise you and pat you on the back. No, no. Let the light of Christ shine through you, and everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Do you see what an amazing truth that is? Jesus will shine his light through you. The more you live and love like Jesus, the brighter his light will be. And as you give love and offer mercy and extend grace, which God has given to us, to your loved prodigals, the more likely they are to grow weary of the dark and turn to the light.

8:01 When they see your light shining, the light of Christ coming through you, they're going to think, That looks pretty good. I think I would like to live in the light. God may also shine his light through others to woo our wanderers back. That happened many times with our son. Over those 15 years, he would bring different people into his life who let the light of Christ shine through them. And they caused him to want it. And for a little while, he would choose it. He wasn't quite ready to give in, though. I believe, though, that his light, the light of Christ, in us, will be the best beacon of hope to those we pray for.

8:51 We pray, but I believe God's light shining through us will draw them to himself. So what about you? When do you need light for your life? What made it look like if the light of Jesus would consistently shine through you to your loved prodigal? Write down some thoughts you have. Is there some way you talk to them, some way you reach out to them, some way you do your boundaries and consequences that send them back to darkness? Are there ways that you instead can be a light to lead them to the way?

9:36 Just a reminder, tell your friends who have a prodigal about this podcast. We love it if you subscribe and rate it and review it. It helps more people know how to live and love with a prodigal. Let me have a prayer for you. I'm going to do this each week as we talk about these I Am's of Jesus. So this week, Lord, may your light so shine through me, through you, that others, especially my prodigal, will see your light, your love, your grace, and will turn from darkness to light.

10:24 God bless you.