I Saw The Light!

Who doesn’t love the dawn of a new day? Most mornings around 5:30 my eyes open in the darkness of my bedroom. I ask Alexa™ to turn on the lights and the gloom is instantly dispelled!  There is a simple joy found when I stand on the porch while the sun creeps up over the eastern horizon, streaks of bright streaming through the trees and pastel colors painted in the sky. Light changes everything!  The shapes of black and white become splashes of colors that delight the eyes.   

I wondered  “What is light?”  This answer is offered by a Google search. “No single answer to the question “What is light?” satisfies the many contexts in which light is experienced, explored, and exploited. The physicist is interested in the physical properties of light, and the artist has an aesthetic appreciation of the visual world. Through the sense of sight, light is a primary tool for perceiving the world and communicating within it. Light from the Sun warms the Earth, drives global weather patterns, and initiates the life-sustaining process of photosynthesis.”   - Brittanica

Without light, life is impossible.  We may survive a season in the darkness, but to thrive we must have light. No wonder Jesus borrowed light to illustrate the critical role of His followers in the world. He is the LIGHT of life and we are to carry that light wherever we go, in what we say and do.  His commission is simple and clear. “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16, NLT)  

When I was a little child we sang -"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."   The concept is not just a kid’s idea or for Sunday School!  The darkness that surrounds us-  hate, greed, injustice, oppression, corruption, abuse, lies - can be dispelled by courageous Light-bearers. Make no mistake, we are not talking about being the scolds of the world, increasing guilt and shame. We are to be beautiful lights that attract, transform, expose, and bring life-change.  

 The Light in us is not from our own charisma or intellect.  Like the moon that reflects the Sun’s radiance; we reflect the radiance of Christ’s light.  The Word says "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:5-6, NIV)

Darkness envelopes too many lives.
Greed darkens minds to the joy of generosity.
Hate darkens hearts to genuine self-less love!
Pornography darkens God’s gift of sexuality.
Boasters, braggarts, crooks, and thieves darken the ‘entertainment’ that our culture consumes.
Power often darkens the mind of those entrusted with it and they become corrupt.

Want be a source of light for the darkness in your world?  The secret is prayer for the Spirit to change us, first, before we try to change the world!  Like Moses who went to the mountain to be the Presence of God, we take time for worship, for meditation, for prayer and His light shines through us.  When Moses returned to the people of God from his time with the Lord, his face literally shone with the glory of God, so much that he had to put a veil over it because the people were frightened!  How I pray that my life will have a radiance that comes from Christ living in me!  How about you?

Christians committed to being good- loving, kind, humble, serving, generous, encouraging, and authentic become lights. Our little light, by itself, seems pitifully small but when combined with millions of lights, we can light up the world! Believe it. Shine!

Here is a word from the Word. May the truth help you see the glorious mission and destiny God has for you – to be a light in dark places. Here’s a passage for your meditation. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." (Isaiah 60:1-3, NIV)  "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." (Isaiah 60:19, NIV)

Lord, let the promise be real to us. Shine through us.
Amen.

_________

(Video of this blog at this link)

I Saw The Light

I wandered so aimless life filled with sin
I wouldn't let my dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

I saw the light I saw the light
No more in darkness no more in night
(And) now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

Just like a blind man I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

I was a fool to wander and stray
Straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

Hank Williams Sr.

© 1948. Renewed 1975 Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music