I love many things about living as a foreigner in China. The spring cherry blossoms warm my hearts as the winter ice melts away. Yet, one aspect of the physical environment drives me crazy—the horrendous air quality. The China Lonely Planet guide equates breathing the air in our home city and smoking 70 cigarettes a day. One such hazy summer day when I could feel the particles in my lungs, my daughter Kathryn noticed a strange object in the sky.
“Mommy, what is that gray ball up there?”
“Oh, that? That’s the sun.”
“That’s silly, mommy (giggling)—That can’t be the sun.”
“Well, Kathryn, it’s hidden by a cloud of smog. If we could rise above, it would blind you to stare into it.”
“But mommy, the sun is stronger than the clouds. If that’s really the sun, then it should shine through the clouds so we can see it.”
As I reflect on her words, I realize that some days when my heart is like the Beijing air. The sun shines above me, yet somehow does not penetrate the cloudy smog within. Rather than gazing upward, my eyes are cast downward to the dim shadows of the daily grind and unexpected concerns. My fuzzy walk-by-faith vision fails to caught sight of His presence and purpose. Can you relate?
We find the theme of light skillfully woven all throughout the scriptures, as early as the first created wonder in the opening of Genesis when God separates light from darkness. The Old Testament saints knew God’s presence as a pillar of light in the wilderness, and the Psalms repeat the refrain—The Lord is my light. During the gloomy season of Israel’s disobedience and eventual exile, the Prophets offer continual rebuke to those follow the darkness of wicked nations. Yet, prophetic words of hope speak of the coming day when light will rise in darkness, and gloom will become like midday (Isa 58:10).
By the opening of the New Testament, John makes it clear that Jesus Himself fulfills the prophesied return of God’s light. Sadly, many in Jesus’ day missed His arrival. As John reports it: The Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it (John 1:5). Even after Christ’s resurrection, Paul testifies about the same tension of faith for those who trust in Him: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then, face to face (1 Cor 13:12). The grand story concludes in Revelation when the lamp of the Lamb replaces the light of the sun, with the promise that the Lord God will illumine them. (Rev. 22:5, italics mine).
Where do you and I fit into this grand biblical time line? We live between the first and second comings of Christ, longing to know in full the promises we now hold in part. As we walk the journey of faith, we experience days of blazing brightness, yet others of shadowy confusion. We trust we will enjoy complete illumination in His presence one day, but what about today?
To the darkened, weary soul, Jesus floods the shadows with His life-giving rays. I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life (John 8:12). As His words pour over my thirsty soul, I sense both hope for today and longing for another Day. My murky vision begins to regain focus as I cry out, It is You, Jesus! You are the Light! As we look to Jesus, we see the One who keeps us from tripping through the darkness today and guides the weary soul to a final rest in Himself.
Months after the dialogue above, I glance out my window overlooking more hazy, soupy skies. I see the path below sprinkled with people going about their daily lives, seemingly unaware of the gloom above. Are you among them? Look up! Kathryn was right. The Son is stronger than the clouds.
Our Lord,
You are our Light and there is no other. Yet, sometimes our hearts bear an overcast haze and we cannot pierce through the smog. We beg you to come and shine your light afresh in our hearts. Help us to look to you alone in the sunshine and the clouds.
Amen.
For further reflection
- Up for a challenge? Using a concordance, read all the uses of the word ‘light’ traced throughout the Bible. You will find it a rich and fascinating study!
- Spend some time in prayer today asking God to point out the cloudy areas of your life where His light has yet to penetrate. What fears, struggles or daily concerns cast your gaze away from Him?
- As you have reflected this week, what fresh insight about Christ have you gained? What do you need to confess and ask of Him this week? Spend time in praise of God’s unfathomable wonders revealed in Christ, our Light.
1 comment:
Keep up the project, Tracie! THis is good stuff! Thanks for sharing. I hope you will post more as you are able. Without a doubt, children will cause any endeavor to take longer... yet they do give you such great insights! Kathryn is so bright and thoughtful! Enjoyed seeing you all today.
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