Light baffles darkness.

Photography is one of my hobbies. I don’t engage this hobby as much as I would like. Early in my 20s, my uncle would say, “Lighting is everything.” Uncle Dan loved photography and would experiment with a multitude of flash components, reflective umbrellas, and slave flash mechanisms in order to obtain the perfect light balance. If lighting is everything, then so is timing.

The world, in chaos and clutched in a death spiral of sin and condemnation, was ready for release and redemption. Israel was in bondage, Greek influence made communication easier, and Rome had created the infrastructure and road system to allow the message of Good News to travel quickly. The time was just right for Jesus "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" to enter.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy

Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for

the ungodly.” (Romans 5:5-6, NIV) [emphasis added]

(Evening sunset casts light across our living room ceiling and reveals the imperfections in the plaster.)

The other evening, I walked through our living room and saw the above image. Well, because I fancy myself a practicing photographer, I had to snap a picture. The sunlight's angle, the timing, and the imperfections in the ceiling produced a glimpse into our human condition.

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5, NIV)

Jesus shines His holiness into our dark lives and reveals many imperfections and places of dysfunction. Without the light, we would not be aware of those imperfections that require regeneration. Allowing the light of Christ into our heart and mind frees us from a warped and twisted life. His light chases away darkness and brings clarity.

Pull back the drapes of your heart and mind and let Christ in. His presence can change your life. He can bring light into your darkness and life to your deadness. Today, the time is right!