Sunshine of His Love
There is a corner of my new garden that is no longer dark at night.
My wife bought me a gift, a small, solar-powered lamp. You’d hardly notice it during the day, but look out around bedtime and there it is, shining brightly with a clear, white glow. I don’t have to switch it on, it seems to know what to do each evening all on its own.
Cleverly-designed, it soaks up the sun’s rays during the hours of natural daylight so it can illuminate the garden in the dark. It won’t work if I keep it in the box or place it in the shade. The more sunshine it gets, the brighter and longer the glow!
It teaches a simple lesson. Jesus claimed to be ‘the Light of the world’ (John 8v12), and urges His followers to reflect His light of grace and truth and love, saying, ‘You are the light of the world… people [don’t] light a lamp and put it under a bowl… Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5v 14-16)
There’s no question of the ‘darkness’ around us - poverty, abuse, hopelessness in the face of wars and environmental crises to mention just a few. Modestly, but unashamedly, by our actions of kindness and mercy and faithful words of ‘Good News’, Christians are called to reflect the light and hope of Jesus’ rescuing love. And here’s where my little solar lamp comes in –
The more time we prayerfully spend in the sunshine of His loving presence, the brighter we will shine!
There is a corner of my new garden that is no longer dark at night.
My wife bought me a gift, a small, solar-powered lamp. You’d hardly notice it during the day, but look out around bedtime and there it is, shining brightly with a clear, white glow. I don’t have to switch it on, it seems to know what to do each evening all on its own.
Cleverly-designed, it soaks up the sun’s rays during the hours of natural daylight so it can illuminate the garden in the dark. It won’t work if I keep it in the box or place it in the shade. The more sunshine it gets, the brighter and longer the glow!
It teaches a simple lesson. Jesus claimed to be ‘the Light of the world’ (John 8v12), and urges His followers to reflect His light of grace and truth and love, saying, ‘You are the light of the world… people [don’t] light a lamp and put it under a bowl… Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5v 14-16)
There’s no question of the ‘darkness’ around us - poverty, abuse, hopelessness in the face of wars and environmental crises to mention just a few. Modestly, but unashamedly, by our actions of kindness and mercy and faithful words of ‘Good News’, Christians are called to reflect the light and hope of Jesus’ rescuing love. And here’s where my little solar lamp comes in –
The more time we prayerfully spend in the sunshine of His loving presence, the brighter we will shine!
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