When we walk in the darkness, when we live for ourselves, when we reject God and go the way that we prefer, it may feel good for a while – and in fact often does – but the result will only be temporary. The result is, in reality, fruitless. There is no lasting meaning beyond what happens in that moment. That deed, that thought, has no reference point beyond that point, and as people who do those deeds, if who we are is represented by what we are doing, there is no lasting meaning to our existence.
But if we walk in light, in goodness, we are actually walking in a way that makes reference to God, to the infinite, and we have long-lasting significance. Not because of ourselves, but because of God. We find ourselves in him, so we find our meaning and significance in him. We think thoughts that are related to that which is infinite. We do deeds that find their meaning in eternity, and in this way we can find ourselves walking in the light.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Ephesians 5:8-13
I shouldn’t live my life in the light just because I must be obedient to God. I should live my life in the light because I find my joy in God. I find happiness in him. I no longer have a taste for evil, the deeds of darkness, but I actually prefer that which truly satisfies with joy and happiness. And in this way, I find the meaning that I long to find.
I follow a man on YouTube named David Wood. I listened yesterday to one of his commentaries regarding the temporary and the infinite reference points. I think it is related, although maybe not directly connected, to what I’m saying here: