Day 71

Numbers 25-26 | John 8:12-38 | Proverbs 6

Light does two things.

It reveals—exposing what’s hidden, making things unmistakably clear.

And it restores—leading us out of darkness into healing, hope, and truth.

But the problem?

We don’t always want the light.

The Light That Feels Like a Threat

In John 8, Jesus makes a bold declaration:

“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)

And the Pharisees hate it.

Not because He’s unclear. But because He’s too clear—too direct, too illuminating, too impossible to ignore.

Jesus’ presence exposes them, and they don’t want to be exposed.

“Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20)

And if I’m honest, I see this in myself.

I see it in the moments I resist conviction.

In the ways I justify my own shortcomings.

In the times I prefer distraction over obedience.

Because sometimes, stepping into the light means facing things I’d rather avoid.

Christmas Eve and the Light I Didn’t Expect

I think back to Christmas Eve, just seven weeks after my run-in with the table saw.

My hand was still wrapped. My wounds were still raw. The reality of everything that had happened still sinking in.

That night, our church asked my family to light the Christ candle in the Advent wreath—the one that represents Jesus, the Light of the World.

And I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I wanted to use the fingers God saved to light the candle that represents the Son He sent to save us all.

No one else would notice the significance. But for me, for Talacey, for Sophia—it meant everything.

It was our way of offering back a small act of gratitude to the church family that had prayed for us. But even more, it was an act of worship for the overwhelming goodness, grace, and healing God had shown us over the past seven weeks.

Using my thumb and my newly-reattached index finger, I struck the match. The flame caught. The candle burned.

And in that moment, I realized something:

The light of Christ doesn’t just expose—it heals.

Jesus didn’t come just to show us our sin but to save us from it.

He didn’t just come to reveal our wounds but to redeem them.

Following the Light—Even When It’s Uncomfortable

The Pharisees rejected the light and stayed in darkness.

But Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

That’s what I want.

I want to follow the One who lights the way.

I want to trust the One who heals what He reveals.

I want to step into the light—no matter what it exposes—because I know that where there is Christ’s light, there is also Christ’s grace.

Lord, search me and know me. Expose what needs to change, and lead me toward Your light. Let me not run from what You reveal, but trust that Your grace is enough to heal. Amen.