If you’re fumbling around in the darkness, what should you do?

Turn on a light, of course.

But there are places on earth where this truism can have unexpected effects.

The “midnight zone” of oceans is one of them.

This zone, ranging from about 3,000 to 13,000 feet below the water’s surface, is in constant darkness. The sun’s rays simply cannot penetrate this far down.

The only light at this extreme depth comes from the bioluminescence of various sea creatures themselves.

Scientists who want to study the sea life in this region are faced with a problem. Normally, if you want to examine a dark area, you’d simply shine a light into it. Indeed, the submersibles scientists use for underwater research have headlights for this express purpose.

But casting a light on the creatures in the midnight zone freaks them out. They’re not used to bright light, and assume it’s some sort of enemy.

Startled swordfish will attempt kamikaze runs at a submersible’s lights. Other creatures are blinded or are plunged into terror by the blazing illumination: they either freeze or flee.

Scientists soon realized that their submersibles’ lights were simply creating a no-go zone around the vessel, hampering their research. So they switched to using a red light, a colour which most of the undersea creatures can’t see.

Sometimes light can have a contradictory effect, can’t it?

As believers we see this when we introduce the light of Christ to others.

Some people are drawn to the Light and want to know more about Jesus.

Others flee or go on the attack.

Jesus described this effect in John 3:19-21:

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

Jesus predicted that some would hate the light that He represents. Instead of repenting when a spotlight reveals their sins, they resent the light and shun it.

But others would gladly accept the chance to be rescued from the dark abyss of their sins.

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

Jesus referred to His followers in the same way He described Himself: as the “light of the world.”

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

He warned us that we could face the same resentment and persecution that He had for shining a light on sin.

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (John 15:18)

So what should we do when faced with resistance to the message of Christ?

Keep shining our light!

Keep doing good and spreading the gospel, knowing that this Light can never be snuffed out.

Live as children of Light!

“The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

john 1:5

© 2023 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.