My husband and I enjoy the ‘CSI’ type shows, including all the CSI’s, NCIS, Closed Case, Criminal Minds, and Numbers.  We like following the evidence and trying to guess who done it.  We have noticed, though, that throughout all these shows is a puzzling behavior.  These supposedly educated and very intelligent crime solvers all seem to lack the natural instinct to turn on a light.  What’s up with searching crime scenes with a flashlight?  Is this purely for dramatic purposes or do real crime scene investigators use flashlights to look for evidence?  Has the power been cut in all the crime scenes? We understand looking under the bed or in a dark closet with a flashlight, but what about when the clues are in the range of a lamp?  Does turning on a light destroy valuable evidence?  Do the investigators choose to remain in the darkness for the fear of what they will see?  It makes one ponder. 

 Sometimes we approach our walk with our Father like those investigators, using a flashlight to seek Him.  While this is a wonderfully useful tool when searching the farthest reaches of our life, there has to be easier way.  God is referred to as our Light throughout Scripture.  I just can’t picture Him as a tiny flashlight.  To me, I think He is much brighter and more illuminating.  Examining His Word using the light that He has placed in us through our salvation in Christ seems so much simpler.  (John 8:12)  And while the Light is within us, this Light should brighten the paths around us so that others may see evidence of Him. (Matthew 5:14-16) The simple fact that there is no darkness in the Light should be of great comfort to us when we are seeking His guidance.  His Ways are clear. So maybe we should put down our flashlights and turn on the Light.

The next time you are watching any of the aforementioned crime dramas, see if you notice the same thing that we have.  

John 3:19-21

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.