So, I’m reading the book of John
and I’m thinking about the idea that Jesus is the light of the world.
And I’m annoyed this morning that my room was so full of light I was forced to wake-up when I would have preferred to be asleep
and I’m thinking,
yeah, Jesus is like that.
Light isn’t always welcome.
Sleeping people struggle against the light,
clinging to their dreams, pulling the covers up over their heads,
attempting to delay the inevitable encroachment of morning.
Reminds me of a line from a Dan Fogelberg song: “There is really no way to say ‘no’ to the morning.”
Light is never welcome in a darkroom either.
When a photographer is developing photos, the work must be done in the dark.
Expose the work to light and it is ruined.
Photographers are not the only ones who work in the dark
and they are not the only ones whose work is ruined
when exposed to the light.
Sometimes, Jesus is the light that exposes and ruins the work done in darkness.
But, there is light that is welcome.
Lamplights and flashlights, campfires and searchlights,
candles in the windows and runway lights;
lights that illuminate dark places when we have lost our way
or have lost a child or
want to guide a loved one home.
Whether we are part of the search party
or the one searching the skies for them to come,
the light can’t be big enough, bright enough, wide enough.
Jesus is like that, too.
The right light is vital for reading, working, or romancing.
Artists seek the right light when creating.
And art must be viewed in the proper light in order for people to appreciate its nuances.
Stained glass doesn’t even make a good window,
is pretty useless, in fact, until it is bathed in light.
And at my age, I want to viewed in the best light.
When Jesus is the light we use to illuminate our studies, our work, our romance, our creativity, our art, our relationships, ourselves
then we assure ourselves the optimal condition for viewing.
Light is also a healing agent.
It used to be part of a TB patient’s treatment to spend hours lying in the sun.
People buy light boxes now to treat seasonal affect disorder.
Lasers have become surgical tools.
Jesus is like that, too.
Sometimes healing comes simply by exposing ourselves to His truth
and sometimes His truth slices like a scalpel,
carving out the invasive growth formed by repeated sin.
Can it be a cosmic coincidence that we now use light to improve our sight
or that dentists use light treatment to remove stains
and to whiten what we have yellowed by what we’ve taken in?
We’re surrounded by light,
we move in light, and
have a passing familiarity with light
and yet
it contains powers and mysteries we’ve only begun to explore.
Jesus is like that.
Sometimes we miss
what is right in front of us
take it for granted
until the power goes out.
We seek to harness light for our own use and yet we know it cannot really be contained.
We’re aware that we are working with a power
whose force and beauty engages us, draws us to itself and promises brilliance beyond imagining
but also has the potential for explosive danger
and an energy that is beyond our capacity to restrain.
Oh yeah, Jesus is like that.
In Revelation 1:12-18, John says of Jesus, “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”
Jesus is the light of the world
and He has been since before creation
and He will be ever on into eternity.
Is it not amazing that God could choose a simple way to tell us who He is – He is light?
Sounds so simple, we get that.
And yet when we explore that image
we’re confronted with a limitless truth with more facets than the most brilliant star in the heavens?
Jesus is the light of the world.
Wow. I mean, really, wow.
So, I’m reading the book of John
The Conversation
I loved each and every comparison, Lori. Absolutely beautiful and powerful post. Thank you!
Thank you.
Albert Einstein once said, “Darkness is just the absence of light.” There are so many who live in darkness because they do not know the Light of the world! Keep exposing us to the Light, Lori. MOMMA
Love you, Mom.
Can I just say “wow.” Great post. I love your repeating phrase “yeah, Jesus is like that too.” Somehow makes it very personal. Great thoughts and beautifully put Lori!
Wow is my favorite phrase, Celeste!
Can I just say “wow.” Great post. I love your repeating phrase “yeah, Jesus is like that too.” Somehow makes it very personal. Great thoughts and beautifully put Lori!