We have had some bright, light, sunny days this week. The evenings are drawing out. I know which I prefer the brighter, lighter days and evenings. I hear many people say “These brighter days are making me feel much happier”. I certainly agree with them as they have uplifted my spirit also.
For me the theme of Light has come my way from three directions this week.
In my personal bible study I have been listening to a reading of Genesis via an audio bible. In the story of creation in Genesis chapter one God commanded “Let there be light” and light appeared. God was pleased with what he saw. I have enjoyed listening by audio. I can relax and let the words sink in. I can even chill out lying upon my bed with a nice cup of coffee in my hand and enjoy God’s word!
I prepared a church service for some clients in a care home. The theme I selected after praying for help was Jesus is the light of the world. This is how Jesus described himself in John 8 v 12. “I am the light of the world.”
To help me chat about this in the service I googled what light represented in the Bible. The answer was light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope and God’s revelation. I have found these qualities in Jesus.
He was holy without sin and became the sacrificial lamb upon the cross for my sins. I have accepted Jesus as saviour in my heart by saying a simple prayer acknowledging that I have sinned and that he died for me. He did it so I may be forgiven my sins and adopted as a child of his Father, God. I now shall not perish when I die but have eternal life. John 3 v 16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus has knowledge and wisdom. He once met a Samaritan lady at a well and she was amazed that he knew how many husbands she had been married to. She went back into the town and said “Come and see the man who told me everything I had ever done.”
Jesus knows more about me than I know about myself. He knows how many hairs are on my head which is a fact I have no idea about myself. Luke 12 v 7. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows.
There have been times when I haven’t understood myself. Do you know the feeling? I have acted in a stupid way and then thought after “Why have I done that. I wish I hadn’t” That is when I find comfort in knowing Jesus knows all about the emotional baggage I carry from my past and can understand my actions even though he may not condone them. I can pray to him knowing he fully understands my thoughts plus ways. No one else understands me as well as this. I am so glad I have him to turn to for comfort and support.
In Jesus I have hope. Hope that my life will not be a long disappointment of frustration and failure. Hope that with his help I can overcome the challenges in my life. Philippians 4 v 18 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have called upon Jesus’ strength many times – strength to endure lockdown plus separation from families and friends. Strength to eat healthily so that my health would improve by losing weight. Strength to forgive people when they hurt me. Strength to be brave enough to start a new job. The list is endless of how I have been helped by Jesus.
Sometimes when you are in a jam you hope that your loved ones will come to your aid but quite often you are let down. I am so grateful I can put my hope in Jesus who will never let me down. Hebrews 13 v 5. “Never will I leave you or forsake you”. When I am lonely or afraid Jesus is always with me. His name is Immanuel. “God is with us”.
Jesus revealed to us here on Earth the very nature of his Father. All we have to do is look at Jesus, listen to what he said and look at how he served the people to see the love and provision of his Father. In John 14 v 9 Jesus explains that if anyone has seen him, he has seen the Father.
I am reassured that God is a provider by the miracles of Jesus. When Jesus provided there was always more than enough, like when He fed the crowd of 5000, there were 12 basketfuls left over.
I know when I need provision that Jesus will provide. Once when I was bringing up my family I needed a new dining room table as my current one was a bit old and wonky. I went in a charity shop and I saw a table and set of four chairs I liked but couldn’t afford to buy it. I prayed to God to help me get a table. Shortly after that a friend up the road called me. She explained that she had purchased a table but now realised it wasn’t right for her home. As I walked up the road I began thinking that the table was going to be the one I couldn’t afford in the charity shop and lo and behold it was. I was so surprised but instead of charging me the sixty pounds she had paid for it, she sold it to me for twenty!! That was a lesson to me just how much God cared about my needs.
In this world so many people seem to have darkness in their hearts. Selfish, greedy, angry, uncaring, proud etc. In the bible it says that God shines his light into our hearts. This scripture was read in our service today 2 Corinthians 4 v 6 – And the God who said “Out of the darkness, the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us to the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Jesus.
I am so glad that God’s light has shone in my heart. It lit up the ignorant darkness that believed that life was all about me and what I wanted. God’s light revealed life is for loving Jesus the light of the world and following him. The light shone upon my heart making it warm and loving to God and those around me. I still have a lot to learn but if I ask for help The Lord will shine his light and guide me on the right path. Psalm 119 v 105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path.