It is brighter in our auditorium. Not only have we added two rows of lights down the middle of the ceiling, but last weekend the florescent lights along both walls were replaced with brighter LED bulbs. The result - we can see better in our auditorium!
Light is very important in our world and in our lives. "Light is one of the most astonishing productions of the creative skill and power of God. It is the grand medium by which all his other works are discovered, examined, and understood, so far as they can be known. Its immense diffusion and extreme velocity are alone sufficient to demonstrate the being and wisdom of God" (Adam Clarke). It should not surprise us to find light being used as an important figure in the Bible.
Light is the prefect description of God's splendor and holiness - "...God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). God dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim. 6:16) and is the Father of Lights (James 1:17).
God's word is light. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105). Just as light helps to guide our steps, God's word exposes the pitfalls of sin and error while guiding us along the pathway of righteousness. Regarding God's word, Peter says we will "do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19).
Jesus is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). The entrance of the Lord into this world is likened to light shining in darkness. "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world" (John 1:9). Jesus said we are "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14), but this is true only in that we reflect the light of Christ in our own lives while living in a "crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15). As Jesus began to preach the gospel, He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned" (Matt. 4:16; Is. 9:2). Not everyone appreciates the light of Christ (or Christians as light-bearers), but His influence upon this world cannot be denied (John 3:19-21).
Our conversion can be described as an enlightening. Paul was commissioned by the Lord to preach to the Gentiles in order to "turn them from darkness to light" (Acts 26:18). Before our conversion we were in the darkness of sin, error, and ignorance. Through the gospel we have been called out of this darkness and we are to walk as children of light (1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 5:8).
Light is a beautiful metaphor of all that is good, holy, and right. What a blessing it is that God has not kept us in darkness but has revealed Himself to us through His creation and His word. He brought light into our souls by saving us from our sins, and thus we can look forward to the day in which we will dwell with Him in the eternal light of His glory.