Finding the Light When Daylight Savings Hits - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 2

Audio By Carbonatix

Finding the Light When Daylight Savings Hits
By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” - 1 John 1:5 NIV

When I graduated from college, I moved to Montreal, Canada, where, in winter, the daylight hours average around 8-9 hours. Often, I would go all day without seeing the sun. After a few days of living in darkness, I would grow quite depressed. I became so depressed that I sought out medical attention. As soon as I sat down, the doctor, hearing my accent, asked me, “Where are you from?” “South Carolina,” I answered in my southern drawl. 

He explained that the reason for my melancholy was an illness called seasonal depression, which is typically common in the winter when the hours are shorter. Being from a state that, even in daylight saving time, still saw a good amount of sun, my body was struggling to adapt to the prolonged winter days —the intense cold didn’t help either. The doctor suggested purchasing a sun lamp. When it was dark outside, I could turn on this lamp, and the light would lift my mood. 

Before that day, while I didn’t enjoy the prolonged periods of darkness, it never occurred to me that the profound effects it had on my mental, physical, and spiritual health.
 Scriptures often speak to the ideas of light and darkness, both in a physical and a spiritual sense. We see in Genesis that the earth was formless and in complete darkness, and that the first thing God said was, “Let there be light.” God declares that the light is good and separates the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:1-4). We see from the beginning of creation a division between light and darkness; light has the power to overcome darkness, but darkness ( being the absence of light) doesn’t have the power to overcome light. 

As we read on in Scripture, we see that darkness is indicative of evil (Ephesians 5:11), while light represents God (John 1:5). Our key verse, 1 John 1:5, tells us, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”   This verse is such an encouragement to believers: we don't have to be afraid of the darkness because we serve the God of light! Scripture doesn’t describe God as a light; He is the light; holy and pure, He is void of the darkness of sin. And, though we were once children of darkness, who followed the prince of the air, those of us in Christ are now walking in the light; we are to live as children of the light ( Ephesians 5:8). 

As Christians, through faith in Christ, we have the light of God within us, and we are called to be the light in our families, churches, and communities. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”  We don’t have to fear the darkness because we belong to the God of light. And out of immense gratitude for God delivering us from darkness, we can shine our light brightly, doing good deeds and pointing others to Christ (Matthew 5:16). 

While it can certainly be depressing to be in darkness during the long winter season, we know that spring and summer will return soon. And just as the darkness won't last forever seasonally, the same is true spiritually. Even those in Christ can experience times where we feel spiritually defeated; there is a heaviness that we carry around with us, we may not suffer from seasonal depression, but we are experiencing the effects of spiritual depletion. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." While our enemy can’t steal our salvation, he works tirelessly to snuff out our light, to steal our joy, and lead us into darkness. 

Let us be encouraged this daylight savings season that summer will return, bringing with it longer days of sunshine to lift us out of our funks. May we remember that just as this season won't last forever, neither will spiritual darkness. The God of light will one day destroy the evil one once and for all. Let us walk in the Light, shining brightly for all to see as we reflect God in a dark world.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Are you in the season of spiritual darkness? Ask God to bring to light any unrepentant sin, and seek His forgiveness. Look for ways to shine your light for Christ this week.

Further Reading:
1 John 1
8 Ways to Fight Daylight Savings Blues

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix 

Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.

She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram. 

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Related Resource: 9 Confusing Things about God– Answered By a Christian Philosopher

How can God be all-present (omnipresent) and yet be located in the temple and indwell believers? How can God know everything (omniscient) if He doesn't know what it is like to sin? How can God be a necessary Being if it is logically possible He doesn't exist? These are just a few of the tough, philosophical questions Sean McDowell discusses with William Lane Craig.