I am a light sleeper. But that’s not a very good description for me because one of the things that keeps me up is… light. Maybe I should be called a dark sleeper.

In my bedroom, I have black out blinds on the windows, but the sliver of light that seeps in at the edges drives me crazy. I have put tape on or otherwise covered every little power light in the room, and there are many. Behind the TV, on the wall switch, a speaker, the thermostat, even the smoke detector. I get upset with my husband if his phone lights up the room with a notification because he didn’t turn it off or at least lay it face down.

When we stay at a hotel, I go around the room before bed covering up tiny sources of light as best I can. Yet, still I wake up in the middle of the night with a light that I didn’t notice seeming to glare at me, usually a smoke alarm that I couldn’t reach.

I’m very sensitive to light, especially once my eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Even the dimmest, tiniest light seems like a beacon. On the plus side, I can easily find my way to the bathroom using only the light from my watch.

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (John‬ ‭1‬:‭5,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Darkness seems so powerful. In the pitch black (midnight in a cave, for example), it can almost feel like a presence, ominous and waiting.

But the amazing thing is, the arrival of the meekest light is enough to break the power of the dark.

The devil would have me believe that darkness is overwhelming, unstoppable, and impenetrable. He wants me to lose all hope and lie defeated in the blackness.

But God says my own light of faith, dim as it is, is enough to dissolve the darkness around me. This little light of mine is like a bonfire in the spirit realm, making evil forces scatter like cockroaches to other dark corners. When I turn to God in humble faith, gratitude, and praise, my bonfire is set ablaze.

Dear God, thank you for the reminder that the darkness of this world is only a thin veil. The spark of my faith in you is enough to reveal its weakness and break its power. Set my life ablaze with your love and show me how to share my fire with others.