How To Live In The Light
Overcoming Darkness
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” -Jesus of Nazareth (John 16:33)
There is a reason that morning light is best for photographs. It is because it is soft. The sun’s beams aren’t as direct and get filtered longer through the earth’s atmosphere. But what makes that light so good for photos? Why is soft light better? Because it doesn’t create harsh shadows.
When the sun is high in the sky, in the middle of the day, the sun is direct and bright. With more light comes more contrast with the dark shadows. The brighter the light the darker the shadows.
When you are exposed to the darkness and perversity of mankind, it is disturbing. We are capable of such wretchedness. Each individual senses the darkness within themselves. And each person has a choice.
At times of darkness, the Light is shining brightest.
You can’t change the nature of the world. You can’t fight the darkness and win, you can only overcome it.
Jesus was the template. He showed the way to overcoming. He demonstrated love, forgiveness, sacrifice, resurrecting, and ascending. I call it transcendence, and that is how you overcome the world.
You must love God first. You cannot love God and hate others. When you love God, you love yourself, and you love others. And if you don’t love others, then you don’t love God. It goes both ways.
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” -Jesus of Nazareth (John 4:20)
The golden rule is stated by Jesus as the second greatest commandment which is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Almost all major religions ascribe to some version of the golden rule.
Most people take it as a guide. I look at it as a truth. You do love your neighbor as yourself. You can’t help it. The more you love yourself (not in the narcissistic sense, but in the higher sense), the more you will love those around you. The ways in which you dislike yourself will be reflected in how you treat others. What you judge in yourself you will judge in others.
