We left under a bright blue sky, but as we approached the city of Birmingham 10 minutes later, the sky disappeared. Low clouds rested above, covering the tops of the high-rise flats. As you looked up, even the famous BT tower just seemed to disappear! I imagined the residents view from the hidden flats as they opened their curtains. How their hindered view would change the way they saw the world. Blind to the beauty of the world those on the ground could still see. Your mood, thoughts and plans for the day, all shaped by your temporarily limited view. As I looked, I became thankful. I realised I had been rescued from a limited view. No longer blind, I could now see.
If you have ever attended a traditional church carol service, I guarantee you will have heard the following Bible verse: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ (Isaiah 9:2). It describes the state of all people until the moment darkness is pierced by the incredible light. How the ‘great light’ must have changed the way they felt, thought, and ultimately saw the world around them. As I walked around the city, I was reminded that I once walked in darkness, but I didn’t know. I had no understanding that my view of the world was limited. To me I was seeing what everyone else saw. To me, it was normal. I was completely unaware that the abundant life I had been created for was waiting behind the cloud. Blinded by the darkness that surrounded me, I didn’t know I needed to be rescued from my limited view.
Jesus, described as the Light of the World, came to pierce the darkness. Compelled by compassion and love for you and me, He came into this broken world to open blind eyes, set captives free and rescue us from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13). I was unaware that I had a limited view, my mind had been blinded by the ‘god of this age’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Like those surrounded by clouds in their flats, my eyes had been veiled and I could not see the light. Then one day, as I sat at a festival with thousands of people on a crowded field, the light fell on me. The darkness that had hindered my view began to lift. I began to recognise how my veiled view had shaped the way I was living my life. I realised I not only needed to be rescued from something, but I was rescued for something. I was created for a better way; rescued to live in the kingdom of light under the reign of King Jesus. In that moment as I surrendered to Jesus, and pledged to learn and follow a better way, I was set free. No longer did I have to live under the influence of darkness. As I confessed how wrong I had been, I received His grace and forgiveness. I began a new life, a citizen of a new kingdom, the kingdom of light. Now embraced by His love, I had peace and a new purpose. I was now a child of the light on mission with all followers of Jesus to make known that we had been called out of darkness into His wonderful light. My purpose was to let His light shine in and through me for others to see the way.
That day was over 40 years ago. I still follow Jesus; it was the best decision I ever made. It’s not easy and I’m still learning to avoid the darkness and live in the light. My view of the world has changed, I think I see more clearly now. But, as I look back, I wonder if I’ve fulfilled the purpose for which Jesus rescued me: ‘to let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16).
Let me close with an appeal! If you, like me follow Jesus, you were rescued for a mission. Take a moment to reflect on your journey so far and ask: “Am I fulfilling God’s mission for my life?” Pause, and if necessary, realign and reset to prioritise living on mission again. If you’re not a follower of Jesus, let me gently say, you need to be rescued. You won’t see it, like those people blinded by the clouds that covered their flats, but there is more to discover behind your limited view. Jesus came to give you life, not only on earth, but for eternity. Pause. Reflect. Why not take a moment and invite Jesus to open your eyes and rescue you from darkness and bring you into His family, the children of light.
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