First thing this morning I went to my ophthalmologist. I’ve had a lot of eye trouble over the last 6 years, so these visits are a regular occurrence in my life. They checked the pressures in my eyes, took pictures of my optic nerves, and then dilated them for the doctor to get a better look inside.  He looks through different kinds of scopes while shining a series of powerful bright lights into my eyes. The light allows him to see all the details inside the eye, all the scarring from previous surgeries and other damage.

The bright light the doctor shone in my eyes was exposing all the things that were wrong in there. That reminded me of this passage:

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)  and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. Ephesians 5:8–14a

Even though it hurts when the doctor shines the light in my eyes, I know it is to expose the problems and figure out the treatment I need. The light of Christ exposes my sin and shows me the solution He has provided through His life, His death to pay for my sin, and His victory over death that He shares with me.

I got a good report, made my next appointment, and then started to walk outside. It was overcast when I arrived, but now the sun was shining brightly. I thought I could make it to my vehicle and the wrap-around sunglasses that were in there, but I could not. I had to go back in the office to get some of those disposable sunshades just to be able to make it to my vehicle. That overwhelming light of the sun and how helpless I felt in the presence of that light made me wonder: Is that how non-believers feel when confronted with the light of Christ? They don’t understand it and it seems unbearable. But it is what they need in their lives. So those of us who know who Jesus is and what He did for everyone need to make sure we shine His light for those still in darkness.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4–6

Those in the darkness need the light, even though it may frighten them or seem painful at first, even those they don’t yet understand it. They need to see Jesus for the loving God and Savior He is, who wants nothing but the best for everyone.

Lord, help us to shine Your light into their lives today.