“If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

When I was living in Seattle, I would always walk on the sunny side of the street if the sun was actually shining. When I was living in Texas, I would instead seek out the shady side of the street. My husband can attest to the number of times he had to cross the street if he wanted to keep walking with me. Fortunately he did.

Today’s verse says that if I want to walk with God, I have to walk in the light. Because He is light. The previous verse says “there is no darkness in Him.” And if I choose to walk in the light with God, a beautiful thing happens. I will suddenly find myself in the company of the other people walking in the light. Because of the light, I can see them, recognize them, get to know them, and maybe become friends. The Bible calls this “fellowship” which is a big, churchy word I never use in normal conversation. But it really is a nice word. In the light, I can see I’m not alone as I walk through the world. God is with me and so are my “fellows”.

So, how exactly do I walk in the light? The end of today’s verse is the key. Jesus’s sacrifice took my sin and darkness away. If He hadn’t done that, everywhere I went would be dark. I wouldn’t be able to approach God because He is light. Light and darkness are like polar ends of a magnet, except that unlike with magnets, opposites repulse. Light repulses darkness. And God’s pure truth and beauty repulsed me until Jesus gave me forgiveness, life, and light. He reversed my polarity (if we’re sticking with the magnet metaphor.) Now I can approach God with confidence. I can walk in the light.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for reversing my polarity so I can walk in the light with you. Remind me every day of my need to choose to walk in your light and to repulse darkness. Guide me toward fellowship with others in your light.