Fore Street Topsham, Exeter

Reverend Paul Collings BTh (Hons) - - - - paul.collings@methodist.org.uk - - - - 01392 206229 - - - - 07941 880768

About Us

We are a community of faith seeking to discover the face of Jesus Christ in our Church, in our Community and in our Commitment.

Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Pointing to the Light


Sigmund Freud tells the story of a three-year-old boy crying in a dark room of a home he was visiting one evening. “Auntie,” the boy cried, “talk to me! I’m frightened because it is so dark.” His aunt answered him from another room: “What good would that do? You can’t see me.” “That doesn’t matter,” replied the child. “When you talk, it gets light.”

This child was not afraid of the dark but of the absence of someone he loved. What he needed to feel secure was presence. We all need the same; knowing presence is the ground of this basic sense of safety for all of us.


John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


The call of Jesus is for us to follow him as the light of the world, and by following we have our  paths illuminated and thus, all who follow Christ “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” That allows those who follow Jesus to see the path they are taking and they’ll never stray from that path of righteousness if they are following Christ. But the further away from Christ they go, the darker the path becomes and darker is more dangerous when you’re trying to see where you’re going.


Jesus, You are the Light of the World.

Shine Your light in me today.

Chase away the darkness of sin,

the darkness of fear and doubt and despair.

Fill me with the light of Your truth, Your Word.

Produce in me the fruit of righteousness –

the evidence that Your Holy Spirit lives in me

and works in me and works through me. 

Teach me what is pleasing to You.

Make me a shining example of Your amazing grace,

redeeming love, and life-changing power.

May others be drawn to You through me. Amen.


No comments: