Children are remarkable for their innocent ability to reveal human nature at its best and worst. Something that seems to be common for most kids is a fascination with light.
I remember loving to sleep with the lights on as a young boy. The light was soothing and gave me a sense of security while dosing off. Some additional benefits included being able to see mosquitoes as they sang their annoying songs around my head. The light afforded me a sporting chance of ending their bloodthirsty melodies.
The light was also helpful in keeping me from seeing the monsters lurking outside my bedroom window. My overactive imagination had me certain that the shadows cast by the gently swaying branches outside were foreboding spirits intent on doing me harm. It was amazing what a simple flip of the light switch would do to clear my head.
When the summer heat descended, giving the air a thickness you could almost cut with a knife, it was time for the bright lights of the ballpark to fire up. There, Madison's version of Hank Aaron, "Tick" Medders, could be found launching softballs over the centerfield fence with effortless regularity. We would play games of our own on the nearby playground until Medders approached the plate. Sometimes, we would run behind the field before Medders' turn at bat. We could then chase down his home run balls and return them to the umpire.
Other nights would find me enjoying the ever-assuring glow of a campfire, where my insatiable appetite for burnt marshmallows could be temporarily satisfied. When the campfire wasn't an option, I would amuse myself by sitting on the porch and watch insects as they were haplessly drawn to the inviting glow of the bug light. The light was effective at luring pests of all types to their death and the buzz of bugs frying would last for hours on end.
I could strangely relate to those poor bugs. They were simply following their instincts to follow light wherever they found it. They were obviously fascinated and entertained with the light. Like them, I often failed to realize that some things that drew me to the light weren't good for me.
All of us have felt that pull within us to chase after things that initially seem great but lead to trouble. The Bible describes one of Satan's favorite activities as masquerading as an angel of light, drawing us towards his destructive plans for us.
The fact that he disguises himself in light reminds us that we must stay close to the Lord in order to know when we are being deceived. The war that is being waged against us is of a spiritual nature and it requires spiritual discernment to avoid the wrong lights that attract us.
As you go through your days, stay aware that you are much like those bugs, in that you can easily be fooled into feeling safe when you should be running for the hills. Trusting your "gut" is a foolhardy practice and knowing right and wrong is different from loving right and hating wrong. After all, we do what we love.
That's why we are told to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and strength. If we allow God to work that kind of love in our hearts, we are not so easily drawn by the temptations of false lights. Love will ground you and guide you through one peaceful night after another and you won't need to leave the lights on to enjoy it.