John 8:12 (NIV)
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the
light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life.”
During World War II an aircraft carrier was out in the
North Atlantic.
Six pilots took off from the carrier to spot enemy
submarines. While the pilots were gone, the captain of the ship was forced to
issue an alarm. A button was pushed and instantaneously every light on the ship
was extinguished.
While their mother ship remained in blackout, the pilots
started to return. The experienced airmen knew their ship was down there. Yes,
she was down there somewhere; they just didn't know her exact location.
They radioed the ship: "Give us light, we're coming
home." The radio operator on the ship radioed back: "The order is for
a blackout. We can't give you more light."
Another pilot picked up his microphone and said, 'Just
give us some light and we can make it." To his request the radio operator
said, "No light - blackout."
A third pilot went on his radio and begged, "Look
buddy, all we need is one light. Give us just one light, and we can try to
land." The operator could do no more. With great reluctance he reached
over, turned the switch and broke radio contact. Six aviators, the pride of
their families, hometowns, and country went down in the cold north Atlantic
Ocean and into eternity.
There is a point to this terribly tragic story.
It should be noted that those aviators were highly
trained flyers. Even more they were good men trying to do the right thing. This
they did by following orders and fighting for a noble purpose. But, no matter
how good they were, how trained they were, how noble they were, without that
light they were lost.
It is no different for the rest of humanity.
People can be kind, noble, committed, and live every
minute of their lives for others. They can try as hard as they can, but without
the Light of Jesus Christ, they are still lost…
… they are still helpless…
… they are still damned.
Which is why those who are saved need to give thanks for
the Light… and those who are still lost need to see just how much they need the
salvation-light which Jesus gives. Which is why we pray that God will grant
such a thing happen for these millions before they go down, die, and enter
eternity.
Dear Lord, we pray that others may be brought to the
Light, be washed of their sins and be brought safely into heaven. May we do all
we can to reflect Your Light to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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