A few nights ago, I was reading a Berenstain Bears story with my 3-year-old son. We sat together on the bed, his eyes wide as we turned through the colorful pages. In the story that we were reading, Sister Bear was scared of “spooky shadows.” Trying to comfort his daughter, Papa Bear told her, “Shadows happen when something blocks the light."

As I read these words out loud to my son…it struck me, right then. The shadows in our life...the darkness we feel in our hearts—comes when we allow things to block the light.

"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." -1 John 1:5

God is the LIGHT that fills our souls with joy and true peace.

Things like pride, lust, material things, unforgiveness, bitterness and our own evil desires can very easily block Him from fully changing our hearts. The shadows cast into our hearts as a result fill our hearts and our lives with darkness.

Romans 13:12 tells us, “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” For God’s light protects us, as strong armor protects a warrior on the battlefield.

Don't block His light. Open your heart to God fully and allow the Light in--and He will fill you with the joy and the peace that come from walking with Him as you LIVE as a Child of the Light.

“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” -Ephesians 5:8

Prayer: Heavenly Father, guard our hearts and minds, our very souls, against the darkness. Fill us with Your love and your LIGHT and help us to reflect Your light to others. Amen.