The Light shines in the darkness

The world sinks into sepia as November marches on. It is tempting to sink with it. But the crab apple tree boasts a myriad of vibrant red fruits, sharply contrasting with the dying colours all around. The last roses of summer still bloom. All is not sepia.

Up before dawn this morning (sounds more impressive than it is, given the short days), I noticed the bright morning star twinkling strong and steady.

The cliché is that it is always darkest just before dawn. Certainly, the morning star shone brightly out of the greying sky, reminding me of Jesus. The light has come into the world, and the darkness has neither overcome nor understood it. It’s time to protect our inner flames from the diet of poison in today’s atmosphere – be it the political, the environmental, or the social arenas.

It’s time to shine.

When the darkness closes in, when the conversation resonates fear and uncertainty, I’m going to remember that morning star, take a deep breath of the Spirit, and share hope. Jesus invites us to walk in the light, trusting that he has it covered; he knows the end from the beginning; he is good; he is love, and he is faithful.

This is a fitting month for thanksgiving.

Shine, Jesus!

Texting a weather report to California requires care. If I just write that it is -5, it sounds a whole lot colder than it actually is. I need to add that little letter ‘C’, or -5 is understood as -22(F). 

It’s easy to get sloppy. To omit the odd word or phrase, to fail to recognise that the hearer/reader might express truths in a different way, a way which exaggerates or twists reality.

It’s easy to get sloppy with our behaviour, too. To forget that others are reading our every word and action, scanning us to see if we are true to Who we say we believe in. 

Christmas is yet another opportunity to let the transparent hope found in the manger and on the cross shine through our actions and attitudes. With our backs to the crass commercialism we can readily sigh with wonder as we marvel at the gift of God.

The light of the world is in the world. Shine, Jesus, shine!

Glory

When this azalea begins to bloom each year, I confess to thinking it’s a bit ‘peely-wally’ as they say in Scotland. Washed out. But as the days go by, the colour comes out, more and more vibrantly, and now, as you can see, it reflects the very glory of God. It is stunning.

What you can’t see perhaps is that around its base there is a jungle of ground elder and buttercups and who knows what other insidious weeds, seeking to choke the life out of the azalea, or, at the very least, leach away its beauty. Despite the weeds (yes, I do intend to get out there and clear the space, one of these days ...) the azalea continues to amaze with its beauty.

Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting and praying with someone whose physical well-being is threatened. There is, however, no outward sign of the struggle going on within. Rather, she radiates the glory of God. Faith and love and grace drip from her every word. Peace emanates from deep within. We were there to minister to her, but she, in fact, ministered to us. 

The heavens declare the glory of God. All creation declares his glory. And so do many believers who shine like beacons; as the darkness deepens, their inner light intensifies, leading others to safety and faith. May God bless this dear lady today, and continue to heal and bless her.