Turn on the light

Bringing a spiritual perspective to daily life

First thing in the morning, I like to open the blinds and let in the light. Even at night, people don't like to be totally in the dark if they're trying to find their way around. The tiniest night light helps. Not too long ago, we were in a part of the country where there were big, beautiful palm trees. Looking out of my hotel window, I could see ones so tall they loomed higher than the five-story building next door. They appeared to be stretching on tiptoes to reach the light. The Bible says that light was one of the first things God made. The first chapter of Genesis says, "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (verse 3). Because it is a gift from God, who never gives in a limited way, we never need to be afraid of not having the light we need. Light is symbolic of spiritual understanding - the knowledge of God. When we have this, even just a little of it, we never feel alone, left out in the dark, separated from good. Knowing God helps anyone feel safe, loved, and cared for. Since God is all around us, every moment of every day, He will always show us how to get from the dark into the light. Light is also a symbol of the ever-presence of God. So whether you literally need more light, or whether your need is to find an inspired answer to a problem you may be having, turning to God for a solution will help you see how to proceed. A woman I know was driving down a steep mountain pass when her car lights went out. She was really scared at first. But she knew she could count on God always to light her path, to help her to find her way. She reached out in prayer for help. Just then a truck came up behind her. She had been alone on the road for a long time, and seeing the truck lights was very comforting. The truck driver must have seen her plight; instead of quickly passing by as most trucks do, he slowed down and followed behind her all the way to the bottom of the hill. The truck lights were so powerful that she could see to drive safely, even though the road was very curvy. No longer did she feel alone in the dark. She felt God's love beside her, helping her down. Then she was able to get her lights fixed and go on her way. The Christian Science textbook ("Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy) is filled with the light of spiritual understanding. You could call it the light of the Christ presence. It was the presence of Christ - the message of God, of good - that enabled Jesus to heal people of sickness and to help them correct their mistakes. To take the darkness out of human lives. The Christ is with each one of us, too. "Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life" (Science and Health, pg. 215). And each individual is truly governed by God because He is our Father. In God's presence we are never alone. Just as God's love helped that woman on the mountain road, God is always sending the thoughts, the angel messages, we need to guide us through times of difficulty. In thoughts of God, there is no fearful night, no lack of the light of spiritual understanding. And these thoughts bring improvement to our lives. One of the psalms sings, "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?" (27:1) Another encourages, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me" (43:3). When you draw close to God, you're sort of like one of those five-story-high palm trees stretching toward the light. Of course, you don't need to move your body to reach the light, the love, of God. You can pray and find it all around, right where you are. Even if you feel alone in a dark place, you can always find God's guidance. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. I John 1:4, 5

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