In the Dark

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 3:19-21

The dining room at Camp Macoma rang with singing as the youth group gathered for bedtime devotions.

A storm had been brewing over the lake, and soon thunder and lightning interrupted the singing. Suddenly the dining hall was enveloped in darkness.

“Sit tight,” Mr. Mike said. “Mr. Scott will see about getting the lights back on.”

At first the kids huddled where they were, but soon they got accustomed to the darkness and became braver. Ignoring Mr. Mike’s warning, some of them started moving around. “Becca, there’s a mouse on your leg,” Cody called out.

Becca laughed. “If there were one, you wouldn’t even be able to see it.”

As kids moved around, something brushed against Kendall’s leg. “What’s that?” she screamed as she jumped back, bruising her knee on a table.

“All right, kids. Calm down!” Mr. Mike ordered, and the group reluctantly settled down. “While we wait for the lights to come back on, let’s think about what happened tonight,” Mr. Mike continued. “How did you feel when the lights first went out?”

Cody laughed. “The girls were scared,” he said.

“I think you all were a little uncomfortable,” said Mr. Mike. “But when you got used to the darkness, some of you actually enjoyed it and had fun scaring each other. Was that a good thing?”

“No!” Kendall promptly replied. “I think it’s dangerous. I hurt my leg.”

“Wandering in darkness can be dangerous,” agreed Mr. Mike, “and it’s especially dangerous to wander in what we refer to as the darkness of sin. We sometimes get used to that kind of darkness too. We may get so used to a particular sin that we actually like it. We don’t realize the danger until we get hurt. That’s why we need Jesus—He’s our light. When we recognize our sins for what they are and confess them to Him, He forgives us so we can walk in His light.”

Just then, the lights came back on and the group gave a loud cheer. Mr. Mike nodded. “We also tend to forget that someday everything will be brought to light. Instead of ignoring or hiding our sin, let’s ask Jesus to forgive us and help us live in the light of His truth and love.” • Jan L. Hansen

How About You?

Would you like people to know everything you do? Or would it be embarrassing for you? Don’t be counted among those who “loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Don’t stumble in the darkness of sin when you can walk
in the light of Jesus. Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Then walk in
the light of His truth and love.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Walk in God’s light