As a rebellious teenager I took up the habit of smoking to be "cool" with my friends. Thankfully I somehow either did not smoke enough or the Lord preserved me from becoming addicted to the habit.

During those few years of smoking I often would say to one or another of my friends when lighting up, "Got a light?" I was acknowledging that my cigarette needed to be set on fire with a match or cigarette lighter that I did not possess.

Another expression that is common enough in our society is used in situations where people are not sure what choice to make between alternatives or they need further understanding on a matter. They may say something like, "I need a little light on the subject."

Indeed we often have a lack of knowledge about some issue or other and use the analogy of light and darkness to describe our state (darkness) and need (light) in the situation.

When we are ignorant of what we need to know, we say that we are "in the dark". When we ask for help understanding a matter we say that we need a little "light" on the subject.

Scripture describes the state of unregenerate people by saying, Psalm 107:10 (NIV) "...[they] sat in darkness, in utter darkness...".

How desolate it must be to be forsaken by God! It is tragic that so many of these dear people have no idea of just how lost they are or how desperate their condition. Those who are without Christ have no idea they are on the brink of eternal destruction. As it says in Ephesians 2:12 (NIV) "[they are] without hope and without God in the world."

Ignorance of their situation is a chain holding them back from coming to the "Light of the world", our Lord Jesus (John 8:12).

For you who love Jesus, the light of the Gospel has shone into your hearts and minds so that you love and understand the truth in Jesus. Also, you have this wonderful flashlight of God's Word, the Bible, to shine on the path ahead of you as you journey through life.

You do not have to ask the question, "Got a light?" You have the light in the Word of God. You do not walk in darkness.

The Scriptures are able to do much for the child of God. As it says in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NIV)

"...the Holy Scriptures...are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Get out the flashlight of God's Word, turn through its pages, read diligently, mediate carefully, and be fully prepared to face anything life offers you by way of grief or sorrow. Through it all, our sovereign God shall bless and keep you in the way of truth and light as you see the Light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"Got a light?"