Elroy & Sparta trail tunnel in Wisconsin
Near our home there is a bicycle trail that goes through an old railroad tunnel. The tunnel is quite long, and you have to walk your bicycle through the tunnel because part of your sense of balance comes from being able to see the road ahead. The first time I went through the tunnel I tried to ride my bicycle farther than I should have into the tunnel. I had a small flashlight and assumed I could ride all the way through. The lack of light is disorientating and I quickly fell over.
Life apart from the Light of Jesus is much like that. We think we can go through life without the Light of Jesus, but soon we find ourselves on the ground. This does not mean you may not be successful by the world’s standard, but life is not very fulfilling. Life can be very empty. I remember riding with a funeral director one day when he told me a story of a very wealthy person. By world’s standards he was wealthy. He had driven out to the beach in a new truck and committed suicide. Wow, what a sad ending.
The people in the days of Jeremiah were trying to walk without the light of the Lord. 16 Give glory to the Lordyour God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom. [1]Jeremiah 13:16
The Lord was telling them to turn back to Him. Turn back to the light before it was too late. If you don’t turn, it will be too late, and you will be in darkness. 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” [2]John 8:12
Is the Lord calling you to follow Him? Is he calling you to follow Him in a deeper way? When I began to follow the Light of the World in a much more committed way, my entire life began to change. This was a process. The things of the world had been important to me. As I grew in the Lord, that was no longer true. I had not valued my relationship with Jesus but now that was very important.
The Lord wants to lead you to take a step today. He wants you to step into the Light of Jesus. Let the Good Shepherd lead you! “I (Jesus)tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [3]
To hear more of Jeremiah’s story, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jeremiah/jeremiahs-belt
If you would like more teaching on Jeremiah listen to these podcasts:
[1, 2, 3]Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Je 13:16, John 8:12, John 10:6-10). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.