I’ve been thinking about light these last few days. When our kids were little, we went to the Brookfield zoo almost weekly, walking in and out of exhibits, the kids running and pointing and getting some of the energy out. There is a room at the Wolf habitat where you can go in, no lights on, and listen to the sounds of wolves howling. It’s pitch black without any light, but after two minutes of listening to these beautiful animals, as the light is turned on, it transforms the room. All the people in the room with us are seen. Speakers in the corners, scuffed up floors, you see details that you could never see without the light.
At creation, we cannot even imagine what formless and void could mean. We have no example of empty darkness. Yet, God changed all of this with the command, let there be light and there was light. (Gen 1:3) Or when he added light to the sky to mark day and night. (side note, it’s interesting that all of the vegetation, plants, trees, etc. were commanded into existence the day before…).
As we continue, in Genesis 19, the men of the evil city of Sodom tried to break down Lot’s door to seize the angels coming to save Lot, were blinded by the light of the angels. In Exodus 10, one of the plagues that struck the Egyptians was complete darkness, unmovable. Yet, in the Israelites’ area, there was light. What a contrast! Can you imagine being in Egypt and seeing the light of Goshen? In Exodus 13, the LORD went ahead of the Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire in the night. We cannot imagine such darkness, can we?
Then to Exodus 35, as the LORD directs the setup of the tabernacle with tables, bread, incense, etc, he also has a plan of light that will never stop. He directs construction of a lampstand that will burn precious oil of olives.
In 1 Kings 18, as Elijah pours gallon upon gallon of water over the sacrifice he has set up on the altar, he asks for God’s fire to fall which licks up the water and the sacrifice. Imagine the fire of God. As Ezra and the Israelites are coming back to rebuild Jerusalem, they acknowledge that, “Even in our slavery, God has given us new life and light to our eyes.” Ezra 9:8. God speaks of HIS light in Job 38(so many more mentions than I have time here..) by asking Job if he knows “Where is the road to the home of light? Do you know where darkness lives…” Job 38:19. ” What road leads to the place where light is dispersed?” Job 38:24
As we move to Psalms, the Psalmist declares, “LORD, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.” Psalm 18:28 The LORD’s commands “…[are] radiant, making the eyes light up.” Psalm 19:8
“The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1
“…for with You is life’s fountain. In Your light we will see light.” Psalm 36:9
“For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before the God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:13
I could go on and on. Psalm 97:11, 104:2, 112:4, 118:27
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
Skipping to Isaiah 9:2 ” The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” To Isaiah 60, over and over again.
To the shepherds out in the fields by night, watching over the flock of sheep that will become the sacrifices at the temple, an angel broke through the darkness. Darkness similar to me and my family in the little room with the sounds of wolves. An angel reported the greatest news ever, the Messiah had been born. And then the skies filled with angels praising God and glorifying the plan that has been in place for since the creation of the world, when light first entered. The light has come to all in the form of an infant.
Light of the World by Lauren Daigle
On the mountain with Peter, James, and John, Jesus transforms in front of them and His face shined like the sun. His clothes as white as light. Matthew 17 2 Peter 1 speaks of this very event in detail beginning in verse 16. John introduces his gospel with:
“Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:4-9
Light breaks through. Light in our hearts because of God’s Spirit within us. For me, this season has been deeply overwhelming because of circumstances and trials. I sit here this morning pondering Christ’s light in my life and in those around me. I think back to an employee of Enterprise-rent-a-car who exhibited grace and care in a season and time for many of stress and concern. I think to a friend’s reassuring words. I think of people who have checked in on our family and prayed. I think of the generosity of God, for our family, for our animals.
Our pastor, Gary Ricci, spoke about this next truth last weekend. Please see here to watch his message. The light in the night when I’m not able to sleep urging me to think on Jesus. Consider Jesus. Do you know that the very act of considering Jesus changes us? Every verse that comes to mind as you pretend you are trying to fall back asleep. Every lyric praising our God. Our time praying for others, giving, serving, encouraging.
Friend, you are the light of Christ when you have God’s spirit within you. Even if you are sitting in your house, there is never a moment where you are alone. Every light you turn on this week, may I encourage you to remember, just as this light lights your room, you light your world with prayer, generosity, and allowing Christ to use you in your interactions with others. Each person you talk with has a history, family of origin, a story. May you be a part of the story of light that was given to us at the foundation of the very world.
Look for the light!
Here are some other posts I’ve written previously on the very topic of light:
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