How Deep That Darkness Is

I was watching a DVD this morning of a movie based on the Ted Dekker/Frank Peretti novel "HOUSE". A Christian horror/thriller (now there is an interesting concept) which considers the question of sin, light, dark, goodness, evil, etc.

The concept of the story is that of two couples who find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere and trapped in a house by a madman who has given them until sunrise to make a choice. One dead body = the rest live. The house turns out to be full of twists, turns, temptations, terrors and one little girl who seems to have the answer. If you haven't read the book or watched the movie you should consider it. Thought provoking….but did it go far enough? Did the book or movie give the reader or viewer more than a glimpse of "who" the Light is?

Jesus proclaimed, quite boldly I might add, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT).

I'm not totally convinced the movie achieved this goal  successfully and it's been too long since I've read the book I don't remember it did or not, but knowing Frank Peretti I'd be highly surprised if it didn't resonate with Christ. I might have to read the book again if I can dig it out of a box somewhere. The question is did the movie truly point people to The Light or just "any" light?

There is a lot of that going on in our culture and even in the church. As I'm writing this blog yet another "Ghost Hunting Event" is being touted on Facebook and all I can do is shake my head. People are so willing to look for "light" in all sorts of places but totally miss The Light.

A few years ago, when I decided to give up occult pursuits…witchcraft, being a medium, ghost hunting…God gave me a verse which spoke volumes to me at the time, and has become the lynch pin of why I feel called to speak out.

Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Matthew 6:22-23

So many people, especially Christians, are going with what's new, different, comfortable, interesting, or "feels" right, especially if it's current or popular in our culture. Failing to notice the shadows are growing deeper the longer they dabble and explore. Refusing to see the light they are following is dim compared to The Light and barely noticing their love for The Light growing lukewarm or even perhaps cold. How deep that darkness is indeed.