Walking in the Light
There are seasons in our lives when God teaches us through the simplest things. Not through grand miracles or dramatic events, but through ordinary days that are wrapped in struggle, hope, and hidden beauty. When I look back at my childhood, I realize that some of the clearest lessons God taught me came during a time that looked dark on the outside literally and spiritually but was filled with light on the inside.
Growing up in Palar Village Taguig, long before BCG or Bonifacio Global City became what it is today, life was simple. And sometimes, it was hard. There was a year, almost two, when our area had no electricity at all. Development had not reached us yet, and every night felt like stepping into a small world lit only by candle sticks and gas lamps. To many people today, that might sound like an inconvenience. To children, it could have been frightening or frustrating. But strangely, those powerless nights became some of my happiest childhood memories.
Every evening, as the sun began to set, my mama would rush to prepare dinner. She had to do everything before darkness fully took over our small home. By 7 PM, we were already getting ready for bed not because we were sleepy, but because there was simply nothing else we could do once the candles burned low. It was a challenge for my mama, but she always found a way to turn the darkness into something meaningful.
There was something beautiful about those nights. We depended fully on the light from the candles. Without them, we would stumble, bump into furniture, or lose our way inside our own home. But when the candles were lit, suddenly everything felt safer. We could see our path. We could see each other’s faces. We could gather around the table and listen to stories that shaped us more than we realized at that time.
My mama grew up in the countryside in Macalauat, Isabela (the Philippines) with eleven siblings. Their family was large, but their hearts were even larger. My mother used to tell us how they were happy farmers, how they planted and harvested their own food, and how they never lacked because what they worked for was always enough. She was the youngest daughter, close to her older siblings, and she loved listening to the stories of her own parents who were of Spanish descent. Their home didn’t have much, but their family had a rich life, one filled with joy, hard work, unity, and gratitude. 
Some of the Fuerte Siblings (who are still alive) in Macalauat, Isabela reunion - Mama's siblings
Every night after a long day in the fields, they would gather around a huge wooden table to eat together. Afterward, they would listen to stories under the dim light of a lamp. There were no gadgets, no screens, no noise just voices, laughter, and warmth. No one was lazy in their household. Everyone helped in the field, and everyone helped at home. That sense of togetherness carried over into our own home years later, even in the middle of Taguig's powerless nights.
And maybe that is why, despite the darkness, those evenings became one of the happiest parts of my childhood. I didn’t know then that God was already revealing something to me that I would truly understand only as an adult: light becomes most precious when everything else around you is dark.
A Light We Cannot Live Without
Today, as adults walking through a world that gets darker every day, the lesson from Psalm 119:105 rings so true:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Just as my family depended on candlelight to see where we were going, we must depend on God’s Word so we don’t lose our way. Without His Word guiding us daily, we stumble, we get confused, and we drift. The world around us is filled with distractions, temptations, fears, and voices pulling us in every direction.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, but its message is simple and clear:
We cannot walk through life without God’s light.
The psalmist longed for God’s commands, treasured God’s truth, and clung to God’s promises because he knew that life without God’s instruction would be a life lived in darkness.
Even verse after verse, Psalm 119 repeats this truth in different ways:
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“Give me understanding…”
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“Teach me Your ways…”
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“Turn my heart toward Your truth…”
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“Revive me with Your Word…”
It shows us how deeply we need God not just for big decisions, but for everyday choices, habits, and thoughts. Just like the candles that guided our feet in childhood, God’s Word shows us where to step, how to live, and who to follow.
Walking in the light is not complicated. It simply means acknowledging that we cannot see clearly unless God guides us.
Darkness Can Be Real — But So Is God’s Light
When you think about darkness, what comes to mind?
Maybe a difficult season.
A broken relationship.
A sudden loss.
A heavy worry about the future.
A quiet battle no one else sees.
The truth is, everyone has walked through some form of darkness. Even those who do not believe in Jesus know what it feels like to feel lost or unsure. The difference is not whether darkness comes it always does. The difference is whether we have a light that leads us through it.
God never promised a life without darkness. But He did promise that His Word will be a light that is strong enough to guide us one step at a time.
Sometimes we want to see the whole road ahead.
Sometimes we even demand answers before obeying.
But God’s Word works like a lamp not a bright floodlight that reveals everything at once, but a gentle, steady light that helps us take the very next step safely.
This is why living in God’s light is more about daily dependence than instant solutions. We don’t need to see everything. We only need to see Him and that is enough.
It’s Only by God’s Grace That We Become Light to Others
In a dark world, we are not just called to walk in the light.
We are also called to shine.
But here’s the truth we sometimes forget:
We can only shine because God first shines on us.
We don’t become a light because we are strong, wise, or perfect.
We become a light because God’s grace transforms us.
Jesus said:
“You are the light of the world.”
But He didn’t say that because He expected us to produce our own light. He said it because His light lives in us. When we spend time with Him, obey His Word, and allow His truth to shape our hearts, people see something different something hopeful, peaceful, and real.
Sometimes we feel unworthy or unqualified to be a light.
Sometimes we feel too broken or too flawed.
But God doesn’t ask for perfection.
He asks for surrender.
When we walk closely with Him, our lives naturally shine in our families, workplaces, friendships, and communities. People notice when something about us is different not because we’re special, but because God is present.
It’s only by His grace that we can stand out in a world filled with fear, confusion, anger, and hopelessness. We don’t shine to draw attention to ourselves. We shine so others can see Jesus through us.
Walking in the Light Brings Us Together
One of the beautiful truths about walking in God’s light is that it brings us closer not only to God, but also to one another. Psalm 119 shows the cry of one heart longing for God, yet its message echoes the hearts of believers everywhere.
Walking in the light creates unity.
It builds trust.
It helps us grow together.
Just as my siblings and I gathered around the candlelight, listening to stories, God calls us today to gather around His Word. When we share our struggles, pray together, worship together, and remind each other of God’s promises, we create fellowship that strengthens us.
No one is meant to walk alone.
No Christian is meant to walk without support.
And no journey is too small to be shared.
Walking in the light means becoming part of a family God’s family. That family includes your church community, your friends, and even those who are still searching for Jesus. When we live in the light, others see the love that binds us, and sometimes that love becomes the very thing that leads them to Christ.
A Message for Those Still Searching
If you are reading this and you’re not sure what you believe yet, or if you're curious but hesitant, I want to tell you something simple: God sees you. He knows your questions. He knows your struggles. And He is not far from you.
You might feel lost right now.
You might feel like you’re walking in the dark.
You might feel unsure about your next steps.
But the same God who guided me through childhood in a small candlelit home is the same God who wants to guide you today. He is gentle. He is patient. And He never forces anyone to follow Him. Instead, He offers His light, His truth, and His love and He lets you come as you are.
You don’t need to fix your life first.
You don’t need to become religious.
You don’t need to pretend to be perfect.
You only need to take one step toward the light.
Even one small step can change everything.
How to Walk in the Light Daily
Psalm 119 shows us that walking in God’s light is not complicated. It is made of simple, faithful habits that open our hearts to God’s presence. Here are a few simple ways to walk in the light every day:
1. Read God’s Word even if it’s just a few verses.
Don’t rush. Let the words settle in your heart. Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn today.
2. Pray honestly.
You don’t need fancy words. You don’t need to pray long prayers. Just talk to God the way you talk to a friend.
3. Choose obedience in small things.
Sometimes the light shines brightest in simple acts of kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness.
4. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus.
Community strengthens us. We learn from each other. We grow together.
5. Reflect on God’s goodness at the end of each day.
Look back and notice where God protected you, reminded you, comforted you, or guided you.
These small habits create a strong foundation. And in time, you will see how God uses them to shape your character, deepen your faith, and make you a light in the lives of others.
Are You Walking in the Light Today?
Let me ask you the same questions I ask myself:
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Are you choosing to walk in His light, not your own?
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Are you letting His Word guide your decisions?
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Are you allowing His grace to change your attitudes and actions?
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Are you growing in fellowship with others who walk in the same light?
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Are you becoming a beacon of hope to those who are still searching?
The world is full of darkness. But darkness is not stronger than light. One small flame can brighten an entire room. And one life walking in God’s light can bring hope to many others.
God has called you to walk in His light.
God has called you to shine.
Not by your own strength, but by His grace.
Not for your glory, but for His.
Let these simple verses guide your heart today:
Walk in that light.
Live in that light.
Share that light.
The world needs it more than ever.
And by God’s grace, you can shine.
The Hourngs 😅🙏
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