Don't Linger in the Darkness: Pedal Faster!
I remember being just a little guy, riding my bike all over town with a freedom that seems rare today. We had the best bikes! One dreary fall night, I found myself on the complete opposite side of town as darkness fell. It was cold, and our town had only a few streetlights on each long street. The world felt large and intimidating. All I had was my bike to get me home.
Staring into the dark stretch ahead, a knot of fear tightened in my stomach. The knot began to twist. I knew what I had to do. I pedaled as fast as my little legs could carry me, racing through the blackness until I reached the welcoming glow of the first streetlight. I stopped there, catching my breath under its safety. Then, calming myself, I looked into the next patch of darkness and made a break for the next light. I repeated this—racing from one pool of light to the next—until I finally rolled into my driveway, safe at home. I ran to door, busted through, into more light.
That feeling of fear, and the simple strategy to overcome it, has stayed with me. Life is often like that ride. We find ourselves in stretches of darkness—seasons of doubt, grief, or struggle. The temptation is to stop, to linger in the shadows where we feel hidden. But we cannot stay there.
A few things we know for sure:
We Are Children of the Light. As believers, our very nature has been changed. We are no longer defined by the darkness we once knew. The Apostle Paul reminds us, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV). We were made for the light, and it is in the light that we truly belong.
The Light Gives Life and Purpose. Think of the sun; its light produces and sustains life. In the same way, the light of Christ brings spiritual life and growth. We are not only meant to live in the light, but we are also called to be a light to others. Jesus declared, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14−16, NKJV). Our purpose is to shine.
Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light. The fear I felt on that bike ride was real, but it was powerless against the streetlights. Each one broke the darkness's hold. It is a spiritual truth that darkness cannot extinguish the light of God. "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:5, NKJV). When fear, anxiety, or temptation surrounds you, remember that the smallest flicker of God's truth is more powerful than the greatest shadow.
The Deception of Hiding. It's easy to get caught up in the darkness. We think it hides our weaknesses and our sins. In the shadows, we feel anonymous, believing no one can see our flaws. But the truth is, we can't see them clearly either. We can't heal what we keep hidden. Sin thrives in secrecy, but it is exposed and defeated by the light. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19, NKJV). Hiding in the dark is not safety; it's a trap.
Life will have its dark stretches. You may feel far from home with a long ride ahead. Don't linger in the darkness. Be fast to repent. Be first to seek forgiveness. Fix your eyes on the Light ahead—Jesus Christ. Pedal with all your might toward Him. Rest in His presence, gather your strength, and then press on to the next point of His grace. Move from one light to the next, and trust that He will guide you safely home.