Have you ever run away from God? I have. When I became a Christian, I read about my bible and its rules about behavior. But because of my rocky childhood, I was a survivor. My coping mechanisms were keeping busy, being perfectionistic with myself and others, and being angry when I and others couldn’t live up to my impossible expectations. But even worse, I saw God as a judgmental parent who rejected me because I wasn’t good enough.
I felt unworthy of God’s love. I thought I didn’t measure up to the standards of a good Christian. The Bible said God forgave me. But I didn’t feel I deserved it. I remember sitting in church, feeling I didn’t belong because I constantly let God down. I would ask Him to forgive me over and over again. So, I ran from God for years. But thankfully, this wasn’t the end of the story for me. Because I eventually learned who God is. God is Love and Light.
God is Light
Our culture has always symbolized good and evil as black and white. So it’s no surprise the Bible says God is light and represents holiness, whereas darkness represents evil and death. After all, this just makes sense. Children are afraid of the dark. They fear monsters will jump out of the dark closet or hide under the bed. But why does the Bible contain over 200 references to light in both the Old and New Testaments?
The word “light” appears 535 times in the Bible. In the beginning, God created light (Genesis 1:3). Later, we see God himself as light in Moses’ burning bush (Exodus 3) and the pillar of fire leading the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 13). In fact, the Hebrew word for light is “Shechinah,” which means “dwelling of God.“
God’s Light Brings Us Salvation
Later, in the New Testament, we see Jesus is light and gives us life. By believing in Jesus, we can overcome darkness, judgment, and death. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
God doesn’t shine His light on us to expose us and judge us. He shines His light to show us we need Jesus. God knows we are only human, and “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10, NIV) But “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)
But besides gaining eternal life, what does having the light of life mean for believers? What if I said light means we have safety, love, direction, and purpose?
God’s Light Gives Us Safety
Physical Safety:
God’s light gives us safety because light can overtake darkness. After all, children use nightlights to dispel the dark. But this also works for adults. I used to run marathons. While training, I ran early in the morning before it was light. But I was always afraid of an attack by an evil-doer in the darkness. So, I had two options: I could carry a flashlight and illuminate the darkness. Or I could run under the safety of a streetlight into a pool of light. Either way, my light would thwart danger and expose potential threats. Thus, light is more than just the opposite of darkness or evil. Jesus said, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5)
Safety From Judgement and Punishment:
In addition to being light and life. The Bible tells us “God is love. “(1 John 4:16) And “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV) So God’s love brings us a whole new level of safety because we no longer have to fear judgment or punishment.
Perhaps this is why the Word says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18
We call God our Father. But He isn’t like imperfect human fathers. We do not have to be ashamed to come before Him or fear rejection. As David said, “No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame.” (Psalm 25:3, NIV) “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5, NIV) You see, we need never fear His punishment because He loves unconditionally. He gives grace and forgiveness. And unconditional love gives us safety.
God’s Light Gives Us Direction
Not only does God’s light give us safety, but light gives us direction and purpose. The Bible states God and Jesus are light, love, life, and the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 We can use the Word of God, or the Bible, to direct us on our life path. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119: 105)
But we must remember to use our light as a guide to move forward rather than to illuminate what is behind us. As a marathon runner I know if I waste time looking back at those behind me, they will get ahead and win. So I must keep my eyes forward. Similarly, Paul teaches us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV)
We must look forward like marathon runners, focusing on Jesus rather than looking back at our past sins. Why? Because Jesus already forgave us. This will give us the courage to forgive ourselves and free us from guilt and shame. The darkness of our past will then fade away. And the peace of God will enable us to move freely forward, loving God and others. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
God’s Light Gives Us Purpose
Walking as children of light and loving others is where we find our purpose. Jesus commissioned His believers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) Our purpose is to love and let our light shine in the world. We should teach about Jesus so others may come to believe. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).
God’s light, therefore, brings both gifts and responsibility. Light gives us the gifts of love and life. It helps us overcome the darkness of our past and illuminates our way along life’s path. But we must always remember to be God’s light bearers. When we share our light with the world, others may also experience God’s gifts.
Practical Application:
If we want unconditional love, safety, direction, and purpose, then it’s time to stop running away from God and start running into His light. How do you do this? We grow your relationship with God. “Come near to God, and he will come near to you” (James 4:8, NIV). And just like any relationship, it grows when we spend time together, getting to know one another.
- Pray
Prayer does not have to be elegant or elaborate. Just talk to God like a friend. Tell Him your feelings, fears, hang-ups, hurts, needs, and even your nonsense. *And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8, NIV)
- Listen.
God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, the words of other Christians, books, and even music and nature. But we cannot hear Him if we do not be still. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
- Read God’s Word
God’s word teaches us about who God is and what His character is like. The Bible explains what God has done and what He promises to do. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
- Trust
Just like any relationship, we must be honest and trust one another. If God, or His Word, says He’s going to do something, then He will. Trust that no matter what you ask, he hears you and has good plans for you. “And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:15, NIV)
Even if His plans don’t happen when or how you thought they would, they will be good, possibly even better than you could hope or ask for. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived— the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NIV)
- Be Grateful
Don’t forget to thank God. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV) in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Run Into God’s Light
Finally, remember, it is the enemy who wants to shame you, isolate you, and drive you into the darkness. But God loves you! And, no sin is so big it can keep you from God’s love. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
Never forget what God said about the prodigal son, who wandered away and spent a lifetime in sin. “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:32, NIV) Stop running away. God is holding out his arms, waiting to welcome you back into His glorious light.
Further Study
Why Do We Run and Hide from God?
