Scientists say that a person needs to double the light in
their workspace every ten years after the age of fifty. Sometimes restaurants
are so dark that my husband has asked waiters for a flashlight. I am also
noticing that threading a needle has become more difficult, not that it is
blurry, but that I need more light.
Light is necessary. Sunlight is vital. Plants obviously need
light to manufacture their food. This energy is passed on to animals that
consume them. Animals such as cave dwellers or deep-sea life seem to require no
light, but even nocturnal animals require low-level light. Those active during
the day need light for vision. For many species, full-spectrum light is needed
to convert cholesterol to vitamin D. Animals synchronize their biological
clocks by light and its changing cycles. Humans who suffer from seasonal
affective disorder (SAD) illustrate the importance of light for psychological
well-being.
Dr. John Ott studied the effects of light on plants and
animals using time-lapse photography and limiting the spectrum. He found that fluorescent
lights, such as cool white, daylight white and warm white bulbs did not allow
some plants to flower properly. Limiting the light spectrum with filters produced
signs of viral disease in plants. He did the same studies with mice. Limited light
produced loss of fur, skin disease, curling and loss of their tails, and
inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). Less than full lighting made
some mice aggressive and agitated.
Further, studies of children in school showed that closed
curtains and limited spectrum fluorescent lights made the children hyperactive
and inattentive. Their behavior changed when the lights were changed and the
curtains were opened. Ott also equated poor lighting with malnutrition.
In the spiritual realm, light is also vital for life. The
Bible says God is light and that sinful humanity walks in darkness. This means
that we do not know or understand the things of God without light from God. Yet
God sent light in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says of Him…
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)
Jesus, because He is the exact representation of God,
shows humanity the reality and nature of our Creator. In Him, there is no
darkness, no sin, thus He reveals a righteousness that we cannot otherwise see,
never mind attain. He is our flashlight in a world where darkness prevails. I’m
thinking that perhaps our need for spiritual light is the foundational reality,
with physical light merely an illustration.
As amazing as it is that God would send light into the
world by entering it as a man, that same light is offered to us so that we also
might be lights in a dark place. Jesus extends this invitation:
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Following Jesus means getting out of the darkness of sin
and being able to see God, see my sin and the things that cause me to stumble
and fall. It means having a look at life that I could not see before, even a
glimpse of eternity that is yet to come.
However, along with this light comes a great challenge. I
am to guard my new walk in the light by staying away from the things of
darkness, the sinful deeds done in darkness and the lifestyle of that old state
where I was ignorant of light, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you
are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
This is sounds poetic but is completely practical. The Word
of God shows me what walking in the light means. When life gets fuzzy or
difficult to understand, God gives His take on it, light to see my way through
that confusion. His light includes instruction for all challenges.
Besides that, and even more amazing, is that my life can
be light for others.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)
For a long time, I thought that this meant being a super
saint, someone so holy and pure that I almost glowed with righteousness. Being that
kind of light left me discouraged. Who can be that kind of light? Yet God understands
my need for a down-to-earth explanation of what it means to shine for Him.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14–15.
God, You amaze me with Your light. You also amaze me that
something as simple as contentment and getting along with others can shine Your
light on a needy and dark world. Complaining and arguing is easy; everyone does
it. Instead of being like everyone, You challenge me to be a light in my home
and to those around me. I am not a superstar, yet Jesus shines His light on me.
With that comes the privilege of reflecting His light into the dark corners
where He sends me and goes with me.
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