Some people have begun to choose a focus “Word” for the year. Recently I have been encouraged to choose a focus “Verse” from scripture. What “Word” or scripture “Verse” might provide a means of focussing your thoughts in 2023?

MY WORD IS LIGHT

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
– John 1:5 [NLT]

While some translations state that the darkness does not “understand” or will not “overcome” the light. I am encouraged by the New Living Translation which states that the darkness can not EXTINGUISH the Light.

Causes of darkness:
– clouds obscure the light until they move on
– night is darkness until the earth rotates, but returns as the earth continues to rotate
– shades darken a room, we must choose to lift the shades and allow the light in

Darkness in our own lives whether spiritual, emotional or otherwise can be a similar experience. Sometimes its a cycle that will move through or pass in time. But occasionally we have allowed the darkness to persist by not allowing the Light of Christ into our lives.

Hope is restored when we identify the cause of darkness.
(because we are then reminded that … though we can’t see it … the light is still there)
– sometimes we need patience for the clouds to move or the Earth to rotate, other times we need to take action and lift the shades to allow the Light to shine in.

Always remember … whatever causes the darkness you are experiencing …

The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.
– John 1:5 [NLT]