Light:

The word 'light' is used over 200 times in the bible.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep... And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God spereated the light from the darkness."

 Then a few days later he wants more light, creating the sun and moon and stars. God saw that the light was good.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

We ingest so many things through our eyes. They saying, "the eyes are a window to the soul" is so true. I have seen so many things and sometimes those things haunt me. I can not stop those pictures from creeping into dreams or my thoughts. These things bring darkness. However, God tells me,

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darness and put on the
armor of light."

The night is far gone! Jesus has come and he has rid the world of night. We are saved! We are clean! We are burning candles. Sometimes, I live as if I am wearing sunglasses. I am aware of God, I know he is working but is seems sort of dim. Sunglasses shield us from the bright sun. We are protected from damage, or harm. But, where God is concerned we need to have our eyes opened to this incredible light. I need to take off the sunglasses. I need to open my heart to light. I need to let go of the safety of the dimness and to bask in the fire of the Lord.

"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman , and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

He tells us to not sleep, to keep awake and be sober. We are called as followers of Christ to not succumb to the darkness. We are told so many times throughout the bible to be set apart from the world, to be free of sin. Again, we are told be keep awake. Stay in the light.
This passage is so beautiful to me. The Lord will come and and steal away the darkness. Where we say we have peace and security there is actually destruction and pain. But, "[we] are not in darkeness... [we] are children of light, children of the day." The things of this world that promise me hope, security and peace are actually leading to a soul full of darkness. Fire burns, but this burning is what refines us. Fire is furious, it does not stop. God's love is furious and never ceases. Fire burns through night and brings morning. God promises that we have new mercy every morning. Fire destroys, but new plants need sunlight! God's fire destroys darkness but His promise is restoration.

God is overwhelmingly light. He breaks through darkness and shines. As he shines, we realize sin, fault and brokenness, but then he becomes gentle and heals. He is God. He is good. Today I praise him for his light.

Finally, I think I'm supposed to drag something into the light.
"For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. For this is why it is said, 'Wake up, O Sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.'"

Although I think I am awake, I think God has been telling me that I am asleep. I am asleep with a shield over my eyes. How will God get to my heart in this condition?