Based on data on the Internet (which must always be evaluated carefully), it appears that the region where I live is approximately the fifth-cloudiest in the United States. Technically, we live about an hour away from the metropolitan area that earned this achievement, but it’s well-known around here that the sun is not always shining through a blue sky. In fact, on nice days, I will sometimes jokingly ask something like, “What is that bright glowing ball of gas in the sky?”
No matter where we live, though, the weather goes through ups and downs. I appreciate that some climates enjoy sunny days almost all of the time, but even in those there is the possibility of feeling pretty dark and dreary inside.
So, where do we go for sunshine when the weather is bleak outside, or when clouds trouble our hearts?
The answer is that we go to Jesus, the Light of the world1. We probably remember that Jesus said as much, as recorded in John 8:12 (below) and John 9:5.
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.”
John 8:12 NLT
But does Jesus literally make the clouds go away? Well, He certainly has that power, as illustrated by His ability to calm the storm. However, He doesn’t always choose to do so. There are still going to be cloudy days for some of us, both outside and inside.
Yet, just as the sun is still shining (up above the clouds) when I can’t see it, Jesus is still the light of the world when I allow the trials of this life to block my view of Him. He is the light of the world even for those who don’t look up, either because no one has told them about the life that Jesus offers, or because they choose to not let His light and warmth shine on their face.
What else did Jesus say about light, though? Consider this verse, from the Sermon on the Mount:
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 NLT
Not only is Jesus transforming the world, but He calls His followers to be part of the plan to do so. Although Jesus returned to Heaven after His resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower and to guide His church to continue spreading that light. Every time a follower of Jesus invites someone out of the rain in Jesus’ name, or offers consolation and healing to the hurting because that was God’s direction, this light continues to shine and dispel the darkness of evil.
There are days that I go to work when it’s dark out, and the sun has set by the time I leave. (Winter days can get pretty short around here, too.) Still, as I worship God throughout my day – often when driving on my commute, or when God does something dramatic at work – I can acknowledge that Jesus is still illuminating the dark places, and changing lives of those He loves (which is the whole world, as John 3:16 reminds us), even when I can’t see the sun that He created.
If the weather is cloudy or stormy where you are today, or if you feel like you are in a dark place (regardless of the weather), I hope that you will look to the light of the world. This isn’t just a “quick fix”, and I cannot promise that the weather forecast will change simply because you read this article. However, I am certain that if you spend time learning about Jesus and getting to know Him better, you will find the ultimate source of light.
Talk with a friend or pastor today to learn more, or let me know what questions I might be able to answer for you from the Bible. It is my prayer that all readers of this will find the light of Jesus, and walk in that light, no matter the weather.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
- This is a Christian devotional. It should be no surprise that the answer is Jesus. Having known Him for decades, I can confirm that He is indeed the answer to many of life’s questions, and not just a rote Sunday School response. ↩
Those Who Sin Differently 
“Jesus is still the light of the world…” — Reminds me of an old hymn: https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/117336
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Yes indeed – the light of the world is Jesus, and I think that it needs Him now just as much as it ever did!
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