I’ve found the content of this article has had huge impact in my life. Interestingly, it has influenced my relationships – with friends, family, co-workers, and others. So what are we looking at today? It has to do with safety. There are threats everywhere against folks. Individuals, families, places of employment and education, even churches. Everything looks OK from the outside, but inside where people are, and especially deep inside people, there are broken pieces. One of the greatest assurances you can know and bring into life is – you can be safe with God. Why? Because God promises!
So, I guess the question is – how do you live practically in this safety? Let’s explore being safe with God and look at action steps you can practice to be safe with God.
Safe With God Means Living in the Light
One of the first things you do when you walk into a room is turn on the light to see everything, prevent falls and bumps, and help you find your way. Light gives familiarity to make you feel welcome to the room. Light helps people feel more safe, probably because they can use their senses, starting with their eyes, to navigate the environment’s unknowns.
This is a great example of how to “walk into rooms of your life.” You spend lots of time and energy navigating your life and responsibilities. You want to do right for each family member, friend, or co-worker – to keep everyone safe at every level.
You need light to be safe. To be warm. So often it feels like we walk in the cold dark. God wants His children to turn the light on with eyes of faith. Then you can navigate conversations, relationships, and decisions.
Practical Impact of Light
So, what practical impact does light have as you stay safe with God?
First, for safety, you have to turn the light on. The switch is faith.- Believing God’s light is inviting, true, and powerful always helps you “see” better.
- God’s light isn’t something you physically “see” or “feel.” You may even “feel” you are still in the dark. But if you come close to God in your heart and obey Him, you walk in the light by faith. Let me say it another way: You can walk in the dark (of life) while actually living in the light (of God).
- Choosing to be a “lover of the light” – someone who eagerly expects God’s fellowship and guidance – proves you trust Him.
- Light exposes. So, when you invite God’s light to shine into your dark, remember God is dependable – good – safe. Obeying proves you love God back. And that you trust His love.
- Never stop asking God for more light in your life, especially in areas of confusion, fear, and insecurity.
Now – let’s explore each of these six point.
1. For Safety – Turn The Light On
It’s easy to turn a light on in a room. Why is it so challenging to turn on the light in your thoughts and soul? You can’t be sure of safety if you can’t see your way around a dark room. This is true of dimensions you can’t see, too. Heb. 3:1 says to “fix your thoughts on Jesus.” And Scripture also says, “set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col. 3:2) This is turning the light on – even if you still feel you are walking in the dark. And it’s safe.
Let’s face it, your mind is invisible, yet your thoughts determine your perspective. Your heart and affections are unseen. The complications and twists of life are often invisible – hard to anticipate. Your spiritual well-being is invisible to the human eye. So, for safety . . . learn how to turn the light on in every dimension.
Have you turned the light on in your thoughts and soul to stay in a place of safety? Are you teaching your children how to live this bravely?
2. Believe God’s Light Is Inviting, True, Powerful
Jesus often refers to Himself as the Light. He is inviting, true, and powerful. His love chases heart shadows away and helps you clean out hidden dark corners. When you turn His light on in your heart, you find courage and purpose welling up. When you flip His light switch on in your mind and conscience, you find gratitude when He points out an area that needs to be confessed and changed. It’s not threatening. It’s safe. Because God is inviting, true, and powerful.
Walking close to Jesus means you make choices that prove you prefer walking in His light rather than lingering in the darkness of the world. It means your desire to know Jesus and walk in truth is stronger than your concern over “what’s next,” or your fear of rejection, or concern of having your heart exposed.
Do you enjoying the invitation, truth, and power of God’s loving light every day?
3. You Can’t See or Feel God’s Light (but you’ll be safe)
God gave His people the Law, the Prophets, His Scriptures, and His Son – the Light of the world! (Mt. 5:14; Jn. 8:12) How can you possibly address life tangles without necessary information? How can you keep your family safe if you don’t know the dangers? All this relevant, current data you need is in Scripture. God wants you to be “in the know.”
God reveals Himself to you every day using the beauty and wonder of creation, friends, His provisions, or special details. In Jn. 16:33, God thoughtfully gives you the “heads up.” “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God keeps you in the loop so you can guide your family and live well. But you will also discover you can walk in the dark (of life) while actually living in the light (of God)!
Are you living by faith in God’s light and letting this knowledge affect how you interact with your family and others?
4. Lover of Light
The “Lover of Light” is not afraid to let light shine into the depths of their heart. They are more concerned about remaining in the light than what the light might reveal. The psalmist says it like this – “Your rod and staff comfort me.” (Ps. 23: 4b) God’s correction is comforting.
Why not invite God’s light to point out anything that makes Him sad? (Ps. 139:24) You can apply time, energy, and resources to walk in the dark (of life) while living in the light (of God). Simply put, the lover of light intentionally works to overcome fear and pride to stay with God in His light. This is true even when they must walk in a dark place for a long time.
Do you love the light? Are you walking comfortably in it?
5. God Is Dependable, Good, and Safe
Even though God’s light exposes things, it’s not a threat. Because God is dependable and good, you are always safe with Him. You can welcome His probing light. It’s comforting, not scary. Even when He reveals things you need to change, that exposure fills you with hope . . . because God loves and esteems you. Your value is never in question. Nothing can take away your peace in Christ – except a lie. Do you believe God is dependable, good, and safe? Which do you value most: hiding or freedom?
God promises to give you the desires of your heart. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn. Wouldn’t it be logical to conclude His intentions toward you are dependable, good, and safe? (Ps. 37:3-9)
If there is no darkness in God, why remain at a distance from Him? Do those who know you best see you welcome accountability and eagerly embrace opportunities to learn and grow?
6. Never Stop Asking For More Light
The cross of Jesus brought the light to you. That rough, wooden torture rack opened Heaven’s light and slammed the door of darkness and Hell for good. The cross means you can be safe with God, living in His beautiful light forever, even while walking in a dark world with dark circumstances.
As a child of the light, your life can spread God’s goodness and truth. You can have a very satisfying, dependable influence over your family and others.
So, invite the light. Turn it on. Ask for more. Use your faith switch. Let God’s light expose anything that needs to change.
Do you start at the cross each day? How are you spreading God’s dependable, good safety? Do you regularly invite His light into your soul? Would your family agree?
Application Thoughts and Questions
Browse back through the six points we explored. The last sentence in each section (in italics) is your application. For convenience, I will list them again here:
- For safety, turn the light on with your faith switch. Have you turned the light on in your thoughts and soul to stay in a place of safety? Are you teaching your children and others how to live this bravely?
- Believe God’s light is inviting, true, and powerful. Do you enjoying the invitation, truth, and power of God’s loving light every day?
- You can’t see or feel God’s light, but you will be safe. Are you living by faith in God’s light and letting this knowledge affect how you interact with your family and with others?
- Lover of Light. Do you love the light? Are you walking comfortably in it?
- God is dependable, good, and safe. If there is no darkness in God, why remain at a distance from Him? Do those who know you best see you welcome accountability and eagerly embrace opportunities to learn and grow?
- Never stop asking for more light. Do you start at the cross each day? How are you spreading God’s dependable, good safety? Do you regularly invite His light into your soul? Would your family agree?
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 Jn. 1:7)
User your faith switch and turn on the light. And follow these action steps to stay safe with God.
* Large portions of this article are excerpts from Reach Back (p. 133 and 134)
