I used to be a morning person, when mornings used to be quiet, solitary, and slow. This year they’ve been abrupt, noisy, and shoving—everything mornings should not be. I am disgruntled while I tie my shoes. It’s barely past 5 am. I know mothers and wives and fathers and farmers and workers all over the world wake up this early, but I am self-employed and childless and I have convinced myself I’m owed uninterrupted sleep until at least 6 a.m. Our dog disagrees, and in fact, seems to think the fastest way to my heart right now is through her leash. She noses me until I relent and meet her at the front door.
Outside, the moon is a pregnant belly, super and bright, shining the whole still-dark neighborhood over. How strange, I think, that the Son of God would call Himself the “Light of the World” (John 8:12) when the most constant, earthly source of light disappears every night.
But this morning I remember the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day (Exodus 13:21–22); I remember the star shining in the east (Matthew 2:1–2), the day the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12–13), and the day the earth went dark (Matthew 27:45–54). I think about how the God of the universe created the orbs and commands them even now. He is the One who sets clouds the size of a man’s fist in the sky and makes it rain for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:11–12).
Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). But the kind of light He offers, is not of the natural, earthly sort. His light is supernatural and He freely offers it to whomever would follow Him.
Yes, Jesus is the Light of the World, but when our hope is in anything or anyone other than Him, the world can grow terribly dark in a hurry. I tend to believe Jesus is near and present when I can clearly see His hand at work in my life. But when I cannot see Jesus at work in my life, He seems absent, distant, and busy, too tied up with more important things—more important people—than me.
But this morning, the supermoon shines a deceptive light on my path—blue, dim, shadowed. Not sunlight, but still of the sun—whether I can see it or not. Walking with the Light of the World is like that, too, I think to myself. I am still walking in darkness, but I know the light exists.
I come back home to a still, dark, quiet house with a somewhat less rambunctious pup. She snores beside me on the floor, and I drink my coffee slowly, quietly. I have the light of life, I think to myself, even today, in this season that feels dark in many ways. I have the light of life because I follow Jesus, and He never fails to shine, even when His light feels hidden by this world and the brokenness within it.
He is the one, true Light of this World—the sun pales in comparison to the light of His presence. “Even darkness is not dark” to Him (Psalm 139:11–12).
I light a candle and the room, once dark, is light again.
Jennifer, may you feel His light and comforting love around you as you go thru the loss of your sister. Praying for your heart and your family. I am so sorry you are having to walk thru this. Know You are so loved. Sarah D, praying for you. When I have dealt with anxiety I loved singing the song Fear, he is a liar. It empowered me to move forward. And always repeated that He never leaves me, nor forsakes me, and the Our Father was my constant help. Also, I have mentioned this many times, but just in case someone needs to hear it, one of my issues with anxiety was the thyroid medication I was on, synthyroid, or levothyroxine the generic. Once I changed to a natural thyroid, it was like night and day. My tests never showed it was a problem, but after a couple of years I was so thankful when I asked for a natural thyroid medication and things changed dramatically. So just mentioning again. Forgive me if you have heard it already. I will hold you up in prayer for His answers. Rachel Housler, asking Jesus to hold your Sister, to set her free from fear, to show her the way He created her in beauty and to overwhelm her with His love and grace. For eyes that see and ears that turn to His words of truth and love. Praying for you too Rachel, lean in to the Almighty, His arms are open, know dear Sister you are loved and your Sister is loved beyond measure. Lord Jesus bring your freedom in mighty ways that Your strength and grace open the doors and break the chains. In Your Holy Name I pray. Love to all. Our God is good, may we glorify Him with our words and thoughts and shine His light.
Me too!!
Jennifer Kees, praying for you! May you feel wrapped in and comforted by God’s precious love. I too have a pup that wakes me early so really enjoyed Lori’s comments. The reward is the peaceful quite time with
I still am in awe of the “one who sent me” statements in John. Jesus must have said it 1000 times yet no one really got it until it was too late! How often is Jesus patiently telling me the same thing (2000 times probably) and I still don’t get it ? Lord help me to dig deep, pull closer in, and actually open my heart to hear your Word! I also love the way John writes- he keeps it simple. He continues to use the phrase “His hour had not yet come”. This reminds me of teachers who repeat the most important lesson from the study over and over. I am always amazed at how beautifully written the Bible is !! Also can we just talk about the adulteress? I can’t imagine what she felt. I’m sure everyone during that time had seen someone get stoned and she knew what was coming yet it didn’t happen and then Jesus says “Go and from now on do not sin anymore”. Jesus gave her a second chance to LIVE- to be born again! What a testimony!! Happy Friday Sisters! Go and soak up Gods beauty this weekend!!!
@Rachel Haussler and @Jennifer Kees, praying for you this morning.
I always wonder what Jesus was writing in the dirt. It wasn’t specified, so I guess we don’t need to know, but that detail always perplexes me. Have a blessed day, sisters.
As I sit here with my tablet, like an empty table, the chairs are filled with each of your names. I imagine you coming to sit with me, having coffee or whatever you like to drink :) and hearing your joy and pain poured out as vulnerably as it is here with our virtual family. I too am childless and feel the sting of an empty table (my husband and I never sit there to eat). And I realize how the Light of our Lord shines here with SRT. I long for a community, and yet here it is. I am grateful and humbled to know what you share. Lifting each of your needs up to God, I ask our Father to provide for you and assure you with His answers. Jesus come in close to the broken-hearted. Come in close where we need you. And help us come in close to where You need us. Prayer is beautiful and also I am reminded the field won’t sow itself. You have to go out, seeds in hand, ready to plant and water. Father, show me the fields that need sowing. Show where seeds planted need care. Remind me of the eternal harvest that will come in the light that has no end. Amen.
Angie-I love everything about light in your post today. It’s so dark here (Indiana) in the am and still gets dark fairy early in the pm. I plan to find a candle for my front window to remind me that the Light of Jesus is in this house. Continued prayers for your situation at school. Bully’s of any age are difficult to deal with, but kudos to you for standing strong and showing His Light in all situations. ❤️