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When I was a kid there were a few different games we could play in the dark - capture the flag, sardines, and ghost in the graveyard. In all of these scenarios the goal was to make the environment as dark as possible so that you could conceal/hide yourself from your opponent. This darkness acted as a great concealer, however, it also made objects such as holes in the ground, chairs, and even doors dangerous objects that could be stepped into, tripped over, or simply run into. These typically easily avoidable obstacles could generate spranged ankles, bruised shins, or even a busted nose.

Darkness is dangerous.

However, when the lights came on everything was exposed - your opponent, that stray chair and that closed door. Navigating your opponent and obstacles became much easier.

The same is true of life.

When we walk in darkness, it's hard to see the enemy and easy to get tripped up - this makes life more complicated than it needs to be. Sexual sin, greed, and vices can plunge our lives into ruin, however, if we can get the light turned on we can more easily see the traps that lay around us and we can avoid "the sin that so easily entangles."

C.S Lewis said it this way, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

The Epiphany season reminds us how to get the light on - or better yet - who has turned the light on for us.

Matthew 4:15-16 is talking about folks that are "dwelling in darkness" and "dwelling in the region and shadow of death" and yet "they have seen a great light" and "a light has dawned."

Jesus is the one that exposes the enemy and trappings of sin and guides us to "greener pastures" and "quiet waters."