Son Light

   I’m amazed at the way God tells us of Himself and our spiritual life.  Sometimes the smallest thing that would ordinarily pass without notice gives me another clue to how God works in my life.  This morning was another of those times.

   A few weeks ago I planted some flowering plants in our back yard.  Over the weeks it became obvious that two of them were doing quite well while the other two were struggling.  I finally realized that I had planted two of them in a location where they received a lot of sunlight, especially in the afternoon and evening.  The other two got a little morning sun but not much more.  Without the light of the sun in their life they were dying.  I’ve now replanted them next to the other two where they will get the life-giving sunlight.

   Our faith life is very much like those plants.  We need the light of the Son if we are to grow and flourish.  Without Him our spiritual life will whither and die.  We need to make sure that we are not only planted in good soil based on God’s word, but also that the Son shines on us to give us the strength and love to grow in faith.

   Too many times we plant ourselves in the shade of earthly concerns.  We worry about things that detract from our love of God; the search for money, importance and status concern us far too much.  Sometimes we sit in the shade of television, wrapped up in our favorite show or sports team.  Often we just sit in the shade of apathy, not seeking the things we need to be searching for; letting our faith life waste away.

   Just as the plants needed the sunlight to survive, we need the light of God’s Son if our soul is to survive.  We need to let the worries and cares of the world go and focus on our Lord and His will for our life.  We need to get out of the shade and take a walk in the light of the Son.  Then we can flourish in the love, mercy and compassion of our Lord.

“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8: 12)