As The World Turns

(Recommended Reading:  Ephesians 5:1-14)

Yesterday I looked outside, the sun was shining brightly, and then I noticed it was raining.  I went to my computer and on Facebook I posted “The sun is shining & it’s raining.”  One of the comments made on that post was from my brother; and, he stated “Well I have news for you.  The sun is always shining.”  Naturally, my mind being what it is some days, starting spinning, and this morning this was still on my mind. 

I thought about the obvious truth of his comment. When there are no or few clouds in the sky, it is easy to recognize that the sun is shining in all its glory.  There are times though that the clouds are there – they are not heavy, maybe only slightly filtering the sunshine so there is little impact.  But, there are other times they are dark, heavy and brooding – so much so that the sun is hampered to the point of being almost totally blocked out.  

Then of course, as the world turns, the sun disappears from our vision and we have the moon and stars which are much lesser lights – still enough to light up our world provided they are not blocked by heavy dark clouds.  Because those lesser lights are there instead of that bright orb known as the sun, that certainly does not mean it has disappeared completely and ceased to shine.  It is only shedding its light on the other side of the world on the lives of others for a time.

I began to think about how our Christian walk is much the same.  We have the Son in our lives and He is always there and always “shining”.  John 8:12 (NIV): “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”  John 12:46 (NIV): “’I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.’”  Our lives are bright and full of good things.  With the Son, we can clearly see what we are doing and go about our lives hopefully reflecting that light.

But there are times when things happen in our lives that make our outlook muted, as though the clouds have moved in and dimmed everything around and the rain falls.  Maybe some minor disappointment has dulled our outlook for a time, then we recover and we allow the Son’s light to shine brightly again in our spirit.   

Other times the issues are bigger and more difficult, and like the heavier, darker more ominous clouds that try to block the light of the sun, our lives are affected in a more serious manner.  When this occurs, it can make it difficult to keep a bright outlook – to remember that light that is within us always.  When that darkness moves in – maybe like the clouds blotting out the sun – our light dims.  At times like this it can be difficult to remember that the world will continue to turn and the sun will return.  The evil one with his horde of demons will try to take advantage of the darkness and pull us down.  It can be a darkness so strong in our spirit that it can be difficult to recognize when the light is trying to stay ignited.

It is so important for us to remember that the Son is always shining.  He is always there for us to depend on, to help us out of the dark times.  Light is so much more powerful than darkness – when light shows up, darkness leaves.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness…1 John 1:5-7 (NIV): “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

It is imperative that when the clouds are building and rain is falling in our lives we remember – the sun is always shining and the Son is always there for us – to give us hope and strength.  He is the Light of the world and as believers, we have that light in us; and, we are to reflect His light to others.

Even as the world turns – keep shining!

Written by Karran Martin – August 25, 2019