AND THERE WAS LIGHT
Key Statement: The Apostle John wrote, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome the light. Jesus is the light of the world.”
Last May, a Spokane woman says loudly to a friend, “I am so sick of this weather; when is it ever going to stop raining. I am getting depressed.” Spokane’s annual precipitation is 20 inches.
Compare the lady’s complaint about Spokane rain to the Finnish saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Gail Wright and Fred Crowell met in 1967 at Arrowhead Springs, California, home base for Campus Crusade for Christ. Gail was my secretary and spiritual prayer warrior! Gail has been with Susie and Fred for 50 years. Gail brings the Bible alive to us often. This is her contribution to this WOH.
Meaning of Light: enlightenment, luminous, radiant, beauty. In the Bible, it is applied spiritually from the physical world. The contrast is darkness which makes us helpless with the possibility of stumbling. In the Bible, light is good and God is light, signifying His presence and favor (Ps. 27:1).
Qualities of Darkness and Light
- Both are evocative – brings something to mind.
- Both are metaphorical – symbolizes something else.
- Both are antithetical from each other. (as evil vs. good, righteous vs. wicked)
a. Darkness = anti-light, chaos, blindness, night, judgment & death, causes non-existence, extinguishable, unreality
Birmingham, Alabama Story: After closely observing 88 year old, Dr. Joseph King for a year, this was a question I asked him one morning, “Dr. King, I admire you. What is the single best piece of advice you can give me?”
With hesitation, the doctor said, “You make your own weather.”
Action: Often I have difficulty knowing if my auto lights are on during the daylight hours. To be sure if the lights are on it requires me to take action.
People have lights; they are called eyes. Dead eyes mean the heart has been damaged. Mean eyes mean the heart has been hurt. Kind eyes usually mean the person has overcome trauma through forgiveness.
One of my favorite compliments to say is “you bring light to our world, your eyes are full of light!”
Crowell’s favorite quote… “In light of the resources of God, I refuse to accept my limitations.” In the context there was light, we are exploring the joy for us when we let the Light of Jesus Christ shine in and through us. Like attitude, living in LIGHT is a choice. It is ours to make.
