We live in a fractured society, but there is hope in that fracture. Some believe they are workers of light, while others believe they are children of darkness. I want to emphasize again that the battle is not between these two groups. The more we use this broken lens to view the world, the more likely the cracks will deepen. There is a clear divide between the two, but if we choose to meet in the middle ground, we will begin to see miracles. Today, we will go deeper into the concepts of false light and the shadow to explore how we can all reach this middle ground together.

When we strive to be children of the light, we tell ourselves that we will only do good. Sometimes we become so consumed by this idea that we lose sight of the purpose behind our actions. What begins as a force of good eventually becomes a source of self-fulfillment. This is the false light. Far too often we base our actions on feelings, and while that may seem like the proper way to live, Scripture warns us that feelings can betray us, for the heart can be deceiving — Jeremiah 17:9. We choose to do things in the name of love, but truthfully we perform these actions for a fleeting sensation. Now, instead of doing the work because it should be done, we look forward only to the feeling the action provides. True light work is then used as a means to an end. We know the difference between false light and true light because true light never fades — Ecclesiastes 7:1. Interestingly enough, false light is more closely related to darkness, or the shadow, than it is to true light.

Those who believe they are children of darkness internally believe they are incapable of “good.” Everything we do or say seems only to cause pain and destruction — this is the shadow of death. The issue with this view is that we choose to base our actions solely on our idea of what is righteous, and often that idea is shaped by false light. We know the difference because false light is easily consumed by darkness. This is why it sometimes feels as though light work is fruitless. In the darkness, any glimmer of light feels comforting, and when that source is gone, we grow impatient and disdainful. We begin to see darkness in everything we do. For many, this is the lowest point in life.

But I’d like to open a new view to everyone reading: there is hope in the darkness. The depth of your despair actually prevents false light from reaching you. Its density doesn’t allow something so weak and impure to pierce through the veil. This is why, when light finally reaches you in this state, you can be assured it is the true Light— not a feeling, but a knowing. We are all capable of hearing His voice, the voice of all things — John 10:27. But it begins with looking inward.

The key to both shedding false light and dispersing darkness is inward reflection. Like the boy in the story who found the mirror, at some point in our lives we must pick up a piece and take a good look at ourselves to find the source of our frustrations. For those in darkness, this often comes through solitude. For those in false light, the reflection can come from others. We are all mirrors ourselves, and this is why it is important to talk to each other — regardless of where we come from or what we believe.

We live in a fractured society, but what are the fragments? The fragments themselves are not just pieces of us — they are pieces of truth. God reveals absolute truth in many forms, and often that revelation comes through others. This may appear as a glimmer of light to remind the shadow-dweller that darkness is not the only thing in their life. Or it may come as a dark path to remind the light worker that they are only part of the truth, not the Light itself — John 1:8.

The enemy wants us to remain fractured. Imagine if we all considered, even for just a moment, that we could be wrong. Even more so, imagine acknowledging that the other side may contain some truth in their view as well. Imagine if instead of fighting one another, we listened and learned. This does not mean that light workers must conform to the works of darkness, or that darkness should overpower the light. Rather, we should come together, bringing what we know, and allow God to reveal the truth — together.

We assume we must be surrounded by those who agree with us in order to find truth. But I’m here to tell you today that there is nothing on this earth more powerful than a group of individuals with opposing perspectives who come together in the name of good — Matthew 18:20. In doing so, we begin to see the flaws in our hardened hearts. By reflecting inward — whether through ourselves or through others — we allow revelation. And through revelation comes redemption.

We all contain a little piece of light within us. Will you allow that light to shine in you today?