April 20
The Darkness
Within
“Your eye is like a lamp for your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.”
Luke 11:34, NIrV
Elliot Carter had a way with words. His speeches resonated with the people in his city, painting a picture of hope and change. He was their champion—or at least that’s how it seemed. On the surface, Elliot was the kind of politician everyone wanted to believe in: passionate, empathetic, and fiercely determined to improve the lives of his constituents.
But beneath the polished image lay a different reality. Elliot’s “eye” was set on something else entirely: wealth, influence, and power. As his popularity grew, so did his secret dealings—accepting bribes, cutting backroom deals, and turning a blind eye to the suffering of those he had vowed to serve.
At first, Elliot convinced himself that it was all justified. “It’s for the greater good,” he thought, rationalizing his actions. But over time, he felt the weight of his choices. He became irritable, paranoid, and increasingly distant from his family. Late one night, after a particularly ruthless decision, Elliot sat alone in his dimly lit office. The silence was deafening, and for the first time in years, he allowed himself to feel the emptiness in his heart.
His gaze fell on a Bible his Aunt had given him many years ago, tucked away at the bottom of a drawer. He hesitated but reached for it, flipping through the pages until his eyes landed on Luke 11:34: “Your eye is like a lamp for your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.”
Elliot closed the Bible, his hands trembling. He realized how far he had strayed, how the “lamp” of his life had been filled with darkness because of his unhealthy focus on personal gain. That night, for the first time in years, Elliot prayed.
“God, I don’t know if I can come back from this. I’ve made such a mess of everything. But I need Your help. I want to change. Please guide me back into the light.”
The transformation wasn’t instant, but it began with small steps. Elliot started confessing his wrongdoings and making amends where he could. He returned campaign funds obtained through shady deals and refocused his efforts on genuinely serving the people who had trusted him. Though the road to redemption was long, Elliot found a new sense of peace and purpose. His eyes, once clouded by ambition, were now fixed on what truly mattered: living a life full of God’s light.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Job and his unwavering faith in the midst of suffering.
Help us to trust in Your goodness and sovereignty, even when we cannot understand Your ways.
Give us the strength to persevere through life's trials, knowing that You are with us always.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
