1404) My favorite author, Jan Karon, has a scene in her book, These High, Green Hills that comes to mind when I read John 8:12. In her book, Father Tim and his wife, Cynthia, get lost in a cave. As the scene unfolds, it’s apparent the darkness overwhelms them. It reminded me of the time my husband and I went to Luray Caverns in Virginia.

The tour of these caverns was spectacular and I remember at one point, deep inside the cave, the tour guide told us it is rare for people to experience the complete absence of light. So, to illustrate this, the guide revealed she was going to turn off the lights for a moment. When she did, I was not prepared for the rush of fear I experienced when I could see absolutely nothing. I clung to my husband’s hand.

It’s interesting that when we were in the cave without light, my mind started conjuring up things I was supposedly seeing and I shook my head back and forth quickly, hoping to figure out what was real and what was not. I was relieved when the lights were turned back on.

It is with this experience that I see John 8:12 differently. Jesus said he is The Light of the World and if we follow him, we will never walk in darkness. Knowing that my mind formed its own (wrong) opinion of what was before me, I consider it a warning. No matter what a situation looks like to me. No matter how alone I feel, these thoughts and others like them result from what my mind has conjured up and if I let the light of Jesus in, these wrong conclusions cannot stay alive in my mind.

When you feel nothing but darkness, let Jesus’ light in. This will reveal the reality of what you’re facing rather than incorrect notions you may have formed.