QFD | The Two Currents of Light: Descent and Ascent

The Two Currents of Light: Descent and Ascent

There are really only two directions a soul moves: Either we drift downward into imitation of the world, or we rise upward into the life of Christ.

One direction begins with self and ends in burnout. The other begins with surrender and ends in the glory of God. Every person, every church, every culture is somewhere along this movement — and often, we are experiencing both at the same time.

We all recognize the downward flow. The false light doesn’t show up announcing itself. It doesn’t reject God — it simply uses God-language, God-imagery, and God-symbols for self-centered purposes.

It looks spiritual. It feels spiritual. But it feeds pride instead of feeding the soul.

Here’s how that descent shows up:

• We start choosing what feels meaningful instead of what is reverent.

• Churches become more focused on impressing than on being faithful.

• Individuals begin shaping their own version of Christianity instead of submitting to Christ.

Worship can quietly shift from being something we offer to God to something we perform for ourselves or others. Excellence is not the problem. The problem is when the experience becomes the goal — when the feeling becomes the measure of truth. When that happens, we keep the glow, but lose the weight.

Question: Are we seeking to be moved, or to be obedient?

Isaiah 50:10–11 (ESV)Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

False light is like a lamp burning in a room with no ventilation. It looks warm at first — but it slowly starves everything inside. But the True Light — the upward current — begins only when we stop trying to shine.

It begins with surrender.

The True Light does not need to impress anyone. It purifies. It restores what the false light hollowed out. It rebuilds the soul on Christ instead of performance or image.

When surrender is real, God’s presence stops being just a belief and becomes the actual center of the inner life. We stop trying to prove something to God. We simply receive His life in us.

The church, then, becomes a place where people carry one another’s burdens — not spectators watching a religious event. Our witness to the world becomes steady and patient, like dawn that rises slowly after a long night.

John 1:1–5 (ESV)In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The True Light doesn’t rush. It heals. It humbles. It fills what is empty.

And these two movements are always present:

• False light makes us want to be noticed. Now.

• True light forms Christ within us. Patiently.

False light turns people into idols. True light turns sinners into children of God.

The Cross is where self-rule dies and Christ’s rule begins. That is the line between imitation and incarnation.

So the call is not dramatic. It is simple:

Choose your current.

Reject the light that flatters but doesn’t transform. Return to the Light that exposes in order to heal, that empties in order to fill, that dwells instead of decorates.

Everything humans build to shine will eventually fade. Only Christ remains.

Revelation 22:3–5 (ESV)No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Where, today, am I choosing appearance instead of surrender?