Loving the Light

       Last Saturday my husband showed me some seedlings he planted.  He is carefully tending these plants inside until he can plant them outside a little later on.  He hopes to have a successful garden this year.  We both look forward to a few fresh vegetables when the time comes.  
      Immediately I noticed all the plants -- regardless of the type --  were leaning in one direction.  I was puzzled  at first, then I realized what was going on. And you've probably guessed what I'm about to say.  Robert keeps the container of seedlings beside the window.  Without exception, each seedling leaned toward the window .... more specifically toward the sunlight.   
      We all know plants need light to grow and thrive.  But what's interesting to me - something I hadn't even thought of really - is the plants seems to know it too.  Now, I'm not saying plants have thought processes.  I'm just saying God made plants in such a way that they seek what they need to survive.  
     The leaning of the plants to one side as they strained toward the light captured my attention.  I thought about those little plants all day.  It was fascinating.  God's creation is truly amazing!  Naturally, I choose to believe in creation - not evolution.  The master design at work in nature just could not have happened by accident.  
     OK -let's go back to the plants.  I saw a yearning toward the light -- toward survival.   You know where I'm going with this, right?  The parallel has been made many, many times.  Just as plants need sunlight to survive, so Christians need the Son's light to survive.  I'm not saying anything new here.   
     Sometimes I wonder if Christians always have the same realization plants do.  I think sometimes we forget what we need to survive.  Christ called Himself the Light of the world and promised if we followed Him we would not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12).  
      Think about that .. the light of life!  We cannot live the Christian life on our own.  We will not survive, let alone grow, without keeping Christ as the central focus of our lives.  
     Sometimes though, we let our focus slip.  We stop yearning and straining toward the light and then darkness creeps in upon us again.  We forget to pray ... to be thankful for our blessings ... we forget to lean on our Savior.   And the next thing we know ... well, we're not growing anymore.  
      We should always hunger and thirst for righteousness.  We should always want to seek the Light.  It should be as natural for Christians to seek the Savior as it is for those little plants by our window to seek the sunlight.  
      There is a difference.  For plants it is the way God created them -- the work of nature He set in place will continue as long as the earth stands.  The difference is that God gave man free will.  We get to choose.  As Christians we have access to the Light of the World.   We don't have to walk in darkness.  What a blessing!!  
     In order to keep growing, we should make a conscience choice to seek the light.   Our heart and soul has to be in it.  We must love the light .. long for it.  The Light of the Son is our link to eternal life.   
      Our longing for Light should be obvious.  I could clearly see which way those little seedlings were leaning.  Those around us should be able to clearly see which way we lean.  Our love for Christ should be conspicuous through the things we say and do.  
      By loving our families well, we show them the love of the Father.   By encouraging and supporting our church family we remind them how beautiful it is to walk in the light of God's love.  By being good and kind to those we work with ... by showing others how much we care, we are piercing the darkness of the world.  Walking in Light means bringing glory to God.  
      In the first chapter of John's account of the gospel, he refers to Christ as the Word and as Light.    Verse 1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God."   Then verses 4 & 5 tell us, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness,  and the darkness has not overcome it."  You see, the devil's darkness will never overcome the life-giving Light of Christ.  
     We are the ones who have to make the choice to follow the Light ...  to follow Christ.  The scriptures tell us of His marvelous love and compassion.   We read that He went about doing good.  We see His love for the people as He fed them, healed them and taught them.  
     He did not look down on them with contempt.  Every individual was important to Him -- from the tax collector, to the centurion whose servant He healed, from the woman caught in adultery, to Nicodemus who came to Him by night.  Christ was light for all of them.  
      The Savior urged the people:  "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become the sons of light."   (John 12:36)   Yet, many still did not believe on Him.  They turned from the Light and chose to stay in darkness.
       Jesus is light for all of us even now - if we will only seek Him out -- yearn for Him -- lean toward Him.  We will find ourselves serving Him, obeying Him, and growing spiritually every day.  This is how we will grow.  This is how we will survive.  
      I'm reminded of the little children's song, "Read your Bible and pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow."  How true this is!!  Seek the Light -- then reflect that light through love, obedience and service.  You will find yourself surviving, growing and thriving!  You will find life. 

Christ above all things, 
Robin 

Seeing Beauty

        Occasionally we are allowed to see beauty

                           that goes far beyond outward physical appearances. 

For a slight few seconds I was agitated as I tried to make my way out of the local Wal-Mart store.  Why on earth had the couple in front of me slowed to a virtual crawl?  Didn’t they know I had to get back to work?  But those slight few seconds were all it took for me to realize another couple just in front of them was the reason we were all moving so slowly.    

I didn’t know the specifics of the relationship between these two.   They could have been husband and wife – or brother and sister – or even mother and son.  The lady had turned her head just slightly and I could see that she was elderly; but I couldn’t see the gentleman’s face.  I had no clue as to his age.  Besides, I’ve learned not to assume too much these days.

What I did see was much more important than their appearance, or their age … or even the basic premise of their relationship.  What I saw was the substance of the relationship between them.   She moved slowly... leaning on the cart for support as much as she was pushing it.   He walked just slightly ahead of her – holding on to the side of the shopping cart.

As I slowed down, I began to see what was actually happening.  And my agitation quickly dissipated.  I was seeing beauty in action.  He wasn’t holding on to that cart to rush her – or pull her along.  No, he made a deliberate choice to match his pace with hers. He had done it as a protective measure, really.  He remained right there with her….really with her.  He guided her.  I saw him turn toward her – perhaps to check her progress … possibly to encourage her along. 

For all my guessing, the only thing I really knew was that he was not pulling on that shopping cart.  He stood straighter than she did and was clearly in better physical condition.   The words exchanged between them were quietly spoken, but I could see her smile and nod in assent.   They continued on toward the exit. 

I was third in this little caravan.  There was a couple between me and the first couple.  Like me, they were originally walking much more quickly.  But as they approached the first couple, they slowed down.  They didn’t get in a huff or act rudely.   They didn’t try to squeeze around the older lady and her companion.  Not one grunt, groan or word of complaint was heard.  They simply slackened their pace.

By slowing down the way they did, this couple acted with respect.  We don’t often see that kind of respect anymore.  How many of our children know what it means to act with consideration of others in mind?  Have they ever even heard the phrase “common courtesy?”  Sometimes it seems like it has gone by the wayside.   Yet I was privileged to witness it take place right in front of me.   Again, I realized I was watching beauty in action. 

It seems we live very hurried lives often leaving no room for thinking about the other guy (or gal).  We stay in our own little impenetrable world.  We don’t even notice the people who walk past us in a store – at work – and yes, sometimes even in our own church buildings.  We miss the person who might need a smile.  We miss the opportunity to do good for someone. 

Circumstances made me slow down that day.  I’m glad.  I’m glad because I got to see beauty.   I saw the beauty of peaceful companionship.  I saw the beauty of compassion --- of being protected – of kindness.  I saw a beautiful incident of common courtesy and patience.   

This incident happened weeks ago and yet the scene is imprinted on my mind.  I’ve thought about it over and over again; but I found it difficult to put into the right words.  I guess what I’m trying to say is even the smallest of gestures are important.  They matter.  They enrich our lives.     

   Some little thing seemingly insignificant to us may become something someone else never forgets.    Our kindness – goodness—respect for one another is important.  Our common courtesy – our love will bring beauty to life not only for our neighbors; but for ourselves.  As a Christian it is our duty to be beauty in action. 

SO many Bible verses come to mind – but perhaps these will do --for tonight anyway:

Luke 6:31 – “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”  (Also found in Matthew 7:12 )

James 2:8 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” 

           Inspired by the Holy Spirit Solomon wrote “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)  I am so thankful God gave me the “time” to see beauty in Wal-Mart that day.   

Christ above all things,

Robin Whitley