I’m a very light sleeper. It does not take much to wake me up, and once I’m awake, it’s difficult for me to get back to sleep.

One thing that makes it harder for me to sleep is light. In my bedroom, I have removed or covered every little source of light. And there are a surprising number. I covered the thermostat with a flap of black fabric. I bought a clock with a red digital display (the least disruptive night color) and set its brightness to the lowest setting. I sat a stuffed rabbit on top of a speaker with a small offending power indicator light. I even covered the tiny blinking lights on the network switch behind our TV with black tape because even though I couldn’t see them during the day, they drove me batty at night.

When I travel, I search my hotel room for sneaky lights that will harass me in the dark. I usually miss one and have to get up in the middle of the night to see if I can throw a towel or a sock over it. I’m continually baffled by how a tiny blue light on a TV can seem so innocent until 3 am when it behaves like a searchlight, simply because my eyes have adjusted to the dark.

We live in a dark world, and we’ve all grown used to the darkness. Our hearts, like my eyes, have adjusted. Even small acts of generosity and kindness seem brilliant.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” (Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬, ‭CSB)‬‬

God is the author of light and is its only source. His first act of creation was to “let there be light.” But His people chose darkness. We eschewed His light thinking we didn’t need it.

Fortunately He didn’t take it away from us entirely. He left us with dribbles that seem bright enough while we scurry around with our sin-adjusted hearts. Then He sent Jesus — such a brilliant reminder of how bright true light is supposed to be.

Those who want the light are drawn to His love like blossoming flowers. Those who prefer to hide their deeds in the shadows scurry from Jesus in fear and disgust.

One day, God will reveal the full and undimmed wattage of His glory, burning away all that is evil. And there will be no more darkness to adjust my eyes, or heart, to.

Dear God, thank you for your brilliant light. I can’t even begin to fully appreciate it now, but I look forward to basking in the glow of your goodness for eternity. In the meantime, teach me how to reflect your light in the darkness around me.