Saving Light

Saving Light

As a child, I was fascinated with lightning bugs, or fireflies as some called them. I thought a tiny insect with its own light was a wondrous creation. I enjoyed watching them rise from the grass and float over the yards and trees. Even now, I enjoy watching their nightly emergence as I sit on a darkening porch. Their time every year seems so brief, but their cheery pin-drops of light are comforting and beautiful in dark nights.

In fact, I enjoyed any addition of light in the night—stars, moon, streetlights, neighbors with flashlights, fireworks for the Fourth, or search lights in the sky. If the electric was out, however briefly, we lit candles or coal oil lamps.

As we grow older, we face new forms of darkness, inner and outer, and new interpretations of light. As young adults, we frequently confront the consequences of sin, evil, doubt, and fear. Our growing faith in Jesus helps to alleviate inner darkness with spiritual guidance and light. Our
study of the Bible guides us through temptation, fear, and uncertainty. We feel the saving light of God’s love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Fellowship with other Christians helps to show us the way of Jesus.

With the psalmist, David, we can say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 KJV)

As Paul reminds the Ephesians (and us), “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5: 8 KJV)

Through ordinary days, unusual trials, or even the shadow of the valley of death, God’s light is our guidance and assurance: “Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” (Psalm 4: 6b KJV)

……Mary-Ellen Grisham (meginrose@gmail.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (christianvoices@att.net)