As I drove across America from California to Florida during the Winter Solstice, I often drove through total darkness.

At times, I could only see the road ahead by using my high beams.

I thought: “How do we light the ‘road’ ahead in our lives and in America?”

Immediately, I thought of the Bible verse: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice has the least daylight of any day in the year.

At times, it seems as if our lives and America are passing through the “Winter Solstice” of history. It seems as if nothing but darkness surrounds us.

How do we find our way? How do we find the “road” ahead?

By reading the Bible, as we are guided by the Spirit of the LORD.

By studying the Bible, as we are encouraged by others who love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).

Why does reading the Bible and studying the Bible overcome the darkness?

Because “[a]ll 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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

All Scripture is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

How do we know that this light will overcome the darkness?

Because:

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be Light, and there was Light.” (Genesis 1:1-3).

This Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5).

And so, each year near the time of the Winter Solstice at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus—the time when the Light “became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:9,14).

Each year at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus—the Word of God who was in the beginning with God, and who was and is God. (John 1:1-2).

Each year at Christmas, we renew our commitment to light the path ahead for ourselves and for America by following the Way of Jesus who came that we may have life and enjoy life to the full. (John 10:10).

QUESTIONS TO ASK

How should we overcome the darkness in our lives?

How should we overcome the darkness in the United States?

How should we overcome the darkness in the world?

How is my use of the term “America” different from my use of the term “United States”?

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To differentiate between “America” and the “United States”, please read my blogs: “The ‘United States’ Compared to ‘America’”, “Nationalism Is Patriotism Gone Astray” and “Racism Is America Gone Astray”.

For related ideas, please read my books Hoping in the LORD, Lighting the World, Visions of America, and Visions of the Church.