The city of Utqiagvik, Alaska is experiencing polar night, as the sun will not rise again until late January. Each day will be darkness without the presence of the sun. I have trouble conceiving of this stretch of just over two months where I would not see the light of the sun, even if it is only through the clouds. We know this extended darkness can create a higher probability of depression as people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and low Vitamin D levels. Darkness tends to create issues that seem to steal life.
In Romans 13:11, Paul writes, “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
There is an ongoing battle in our world today between darkness and light. Paul also writes in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This battle is not only a battle in our world but is also a battle within ourselves as complacency and apathy can become a guiding principle for our lives. The struggles we face in our lives may make us feel defeated. We begin to doubt God’s presence in the struggle. We begin to focus on our own resources. We slip back into old habits, which steal life and spiral us into places where darkness resides.
Paul’s call is to wake up from our sleep. He goes on to state, “lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” When we spiral back into darkness, we become lackadaisical and tired. We spiritually fall asleep, unable to conjure up the energy in ourselves. We feel defeated and we give up. Yet, Paul calls for us to a life of surrender where we lay aside the darkness and return to the light of Christ. To clothe ourselves with the armor of light. Later he writes, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).
The Advent season is a time of waiting for the coming King. It is also a reminder that light is coming into the world. We experience darkness which drains us of the fullness of life. Yet, we expect the promise of Jesus who is “light and life” (John 1:4). As we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, the armor of light becomes our defense against the darkness that will try to overtake us.
During this Advent Season, I pray we would awake from our sleep and experience the Light that has come into our world to expel darkness and bring light and life. Just as the Alaska residents wait for the sun to rise again, we are certain that our Light has come and will return.
Prayer: Lord, you are the Light and you expel darkness. I surrender today those places where I have allowed darkness to creep into my life again. I want your light and life to control my life and give me direction each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.