Walk in the light, as he is in the light. (1 John 1:7)
Expanded Passage: 1 John 1:7
Our family has a summer cottage on a lake in Canada. As a child, I remember spending many days swimming, fishing, hunting, and exploring the woods and trails. It was not uncommon for me to be out wandering the dirt roads and fields into the evening hours. Periodically I would encounter wildlife such as deer, raccoons, bears, porcupines, or beavers. My least favorite encounters were with skunks and bees!
In those youthful days, I would often leave the cottage in the morning without my flashlight and as evening set in, I would find myself walking on dark roads, surrounded by eerie sounds and frightening shadows. In those moments, I would long for the comforting light my flashlight could offer.
The apostle John stated that it is entirely possible to “walk in the light.” God’s light is often like the flashlight shining on the dark road. His light illuminates the next step or two but often does not shine far into the distance. Frequently, he provides just enough light for us to have confidence in the next step in our journey but not enough light to see the distant future. Our challenge is to courageously keep in step and be content with the light he shines on our path and avoid wandering off into the darkness.
Today, keep in step with the light God shines on your path.
Stephen Elliott serves as the national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and program director of pastoral ministries and church planting degree programs at Kingswood University in New Brunswick. He and his wife, Helen, have three adult children.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
