In this dark world of pain and suffering I sometimes struggle to see any good, to see any light. It’s so easy for me to get caught up in myself, what I perceive to be my greatest needs. That in turn causes me to live with doubt, live in fear, live without the hope that Jesus gives us.
I recently heard Shane and Shane on XM radio sing “In the Light” https://youtu.be/Xbn-VlmArbU?si=QwHBEjsOUhnzz_ok, a song I believe was originally done by DC Talk https://youtu.be/0JxEwfbidFk?si=zfCJBc5-wBr0qf2B in the 90’s. It speaks to me, it helps me to see my struggle more clearly and helps me regain the focus on Jesus that is needed to find peace and joy in the light.
Lyrics below with my comments in italics:
In the Light
I keep trying to find a life
On my own apart from You
Why do I do this? Why can’t I give everything to the Lord?
I am the king of excuses
I’ve got one for every selfish thing I do
The selfishness of pride still rages inside of me. I’m needy and I do make excuses for myself.
What’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
Why? Why? Why? I often have such sinful thoughts and desires and I can’t explain them. I can’t rid myself of them.
This only serves to confirm my suspicion
That I’m still a man in need of a savior
I see my need for Jesus, I see my need for a Savior. I don’t know where I’d be or where I’d go without Him
I wanna be in the light as You are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
There is peace in the light, when I’m with Jesus there is such great peace, hope and joy. Why would I want to be anywhere else? I want to shine and show the love of Jesus to everyone.
Oh Lord be my Light and be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light
Oh all I want is to be in the light
Remind me Jesus, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute who my salvation is. Help me to stay in You and in the Light
The disease of self runs through my blood
It’s a cancer fatal to my soul
I know the answer but yet I still am selfish, I still am prideful, I still hurt those I love. The sin inside me is lethal and I am helpless against it in my own strength.
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control
I fail time and time again to stop this behavior, to stop sinful thoughts. In my own strength I continue to fail.
What’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
How did I get here again? Why do I hurt those I love? Why do I make it all about me?
This only serves to confirm my suspicion
That I’m still a man in need of a savior
I need Jesus more than ever, He is the answer. He is the only answer and the answer to everything. Without Jesus I’m lost, I’m addicted, I’m hopeless.
I wanna be in the light as You are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Jesus protects me, Jesus calls me to walk with him in the light.
Oh Lord be my Light and be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light
Oh all I want is to be in the light
I call on Jesus and he is always near and quick to answer. He pulls me back into the light when I seek Him. I want to be in the light!
Honesty becomes me
There’s nothing left to lose
The secrets that did run me
In Your presence are defused
Pride has no position
And riches have no worth
The fame that once did cover me
Has been sentenced to Earth
Has been sentenced to Earth
I’m a stranger in this world, my home is in heaven. I need Jesus, I need the truth of the gospel. Nothing, nothing in the world satisfies me like Jesus and I long to be with Him in eternity.
What’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
Each day I have a choice to make. Do I listen to the lies I hear from the enemy? Do I focus on the darkness in the world? Why does this choice have to be made? Why does the struggle continue?
This only serves to confirm my suspicion
That I’m still a man in need of a savior
I can’t do it alone, I need a Savior – I need Jesus!
I wanna be in the light as You are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh Lord be my Light and be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light
Oh all I want is to be in the light
All I want is to be in the light
Jesus is the light of the world!
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying “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 (ESV)
May we all walk in the light of Jesus. God bless You!