Lost Metaphors: Light (Part 2)

Last week I mentioned that there is a dimension of light in science that most of us can't even really fathom.  It is essential to the way our universe works and goes beyond just the sun.  This week I will mention a few other thoughts on our misunderstanding of light and then focus on the one that has been most on my mind.

Here's an article that talks about how the distraction of the closer lights blocks the view of the lights of heaven.  Think about that - your phone light, street light and others - block your view of the heavenly bodies that inspired and guided people for generations.  You can't navigate by the stars or understand their courses because you can't even see them!  We are generations not inspired by the beauty of the stars.  What are we missing? 

There are also the health issues that come up because we don't follow the day and night pattern of life.  I am SO guilty of this issue.  Sleep and rest are gifts and we mess with them because we have artificial light available to us. 

As you read through the Bible you often read about thankfulness for the morning (or read children's prayers from bygone years).  That's because the night was truly scary!  Today this darkness is symbolized by the "dark alley" that we are told NEVER to take.  All of night was a dark alley - not just one poorly lit spot! This is one reason why the Jewish day started in the evening - because they asked for God to keep them safe until morning.  This was a true concern and real prayer.  Today it sounds like a platitude - of course we'll be up in the morning.  We don't fear the night.   (Not that we want to live in fear - but it shows how different our world is today.)

I want to talk about one passage in particular.  Many of you are probably familiar with it (maybe you have the Amy Grant version playing in your head if you are of a certain age . . .)

Thy word is a lamp onto my feet and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105 

When we read that verse we feel like it is limiting. God, where are the floodlights?  We want to see the whole path and beyond.   It seems like God is not giving us enough with just a light unto our feet. Have you camped with flashlights?  We are so used to a fully illuminated world - day and night -that we feel a bit unsafe with just our flashlight.  However, this passage meant the EXACT opposite of that to people prior to last century.  Most of humanity has lived by a candle or torch - not full illumination.  In their lives, having enough light for the path in front of you was comfort and care.  That was walking in safety.

Having light all around us has made us think that we constantly need to see the "whole picture" to be safe.  NO!  We need to see the next step and have someone we trust leading us to be safe.  It is scary to walk the path with just a small light when you are used to a fully lit world.  However, if you are always in a fully lit world it is MUCH harder to see the one true light - the one that leads you on the path you should be going.  Every path looks like a possibility - instead of sticking to the path as outlined.  We are overwhelmed by options and then wonder why we are tired, confused and uncertain.   

In our lit up world we believe that we can "see" more, but often, our more, is merely distraction. We can't follow well because we can't focus on the true light in the midst of so many.  We don't want to walk in darkness because it is scary and FOMO.  We feel like God isn't giving us enough, instead of, receiving the comfort of having a guiding light.  Our well lighted world actually deprives us of the comfort of a trusted light. 

We also think that in order to be a "light" to somebody we must light up the whole room for them.  We don't trust in the relief that a small flickering flame brings into a dark place. Light is meant to guide - whether stars or candle - it is only in this past century that it was an option to illumine all things.  Lending our light to help with the next step is enough.  That allows us to walk the path with them! 
  
Do you use light well?
Are you following His light - even if it seems like only the next step is illumined?
Does fear dominate because you feel like you don't have enough light or need to see the whole picture to take the next step?
Is there someone that you need to bring your candle to so that they can take the next step? 

As we experience more darkness this winter, I challenge you to think about how light was used for centuries and the lessons that it taught and comfort that it brought. 

Lost Metaphors: Light (Part 1)

Be careful what you write about!  Last weekend, inexplicably, for about 16 hours we lost most of the water pressure in our house (if I was smelly at church - now you know why).  We had a little water and it further emphasized just how fortunate we are to have easily accessible, clean water.  Hubby somehow fixed it and all is well again.

This past summer we listened to Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything as we traveled to see the solar eclipse (my father in laws dream come true).  We are huge fans of Bryson.  He writes for adults so some content is inappropriate for younger ears - but we just skip those small sections.  We were somewhere in the middle of Arkansas as he told us about Einstein's brilliant understanding of the universe (sorry I can't give you a page number).  Essentially he said that Einstein explained that it is all about light. 

Bryson might be a Christian but his book isn't Christian (I guess this is where I should warn you the book talks a lot about evolution).  As I heard that Einstein believed it all came down to light it made me think of the first words, "Let there be light."  If you've read the Genesis 1 account you probably wondered how does God created light on the first day but there wasn't any sun or moon in place until the fourth day?  Aren't they pretty much the same thing?  For those less tutored in science, like myself, they are. 

Apparently, there is an understanding of light that goes much beyond the stars; Einstein got it, I don't, God did -from the beginning.  Light is the most fundamental part of our universe, it does more than make sure that plants grow. I honestly can't explain it, but I get that it is a mystery beyond me and I am okay with that.

I also thought of Jesus proclaiming "I am the way, the truth and the light".  We aren't talking about a flickering candle - this is something much more essential than that. 

Our most brilliant minds can catch a glimpse of what God purposed from the beginning - it starts with light and He is the light.  Next time we'll look at this metaphor from a different perspective.

Lost Metaphors: Living Water

This past week my kids and I read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.  I haven't cried that often while reading in a LOOONG time.  We read lots of books about people in hardship but normally they are distant. - in time or culture.  In this book every chapter shows the dates and these are my dates - when I was in high school, after my sons were born, just a few years ago.  It made it more immediate.  Water is still precious to SO many in our world. Reading about the change that pure, living water can bring was amazing. 

In this village it meant:
  - the end of many preventable diseases - HEALTH
  - a chance for the children to go to school (since they don't have to walk to get water) - EDUCATION
  - opportunity to serve their neighboring villages - SERVICE
  - a place to gather (taking gathering around the water hole to a new level) - COMMUNITY
  - a chance to grow crops more easily and then begin a market - MEANINGFUL WORK

Living water - not stale, dirty, infested water - meant new life on so many levels in this dry and dusty land. I have never wanted for water a day in my life.  As I compared this young girl's life - providing water for her family; to my son's life - focused around play dates and great experiences.  The contrast was what brought the tears. I was so grateful and convicted.  

As I read, I realized just how powerful the image of "living water" would be to this community.  Dirty water means lack of opportunity and death.  Jesus' listeners knew the value of living, fresh water.  streams of living water - no wonder they wanted to know where this was and how they could get it. (John 4)

The depth of this metaphor was lost on me until I realized what a community without water suffers.  I realize I am latecomer - but hopefully my boys heard the message and better realize their privilege - the chance to easily get clean water - every day.  Something so simple and essential but not available to so many.

This past year the first graders memorized Psalm 23.  We talked about the shepherd making sure that the sheep weren't caught up in the current and sent downstream - thus leading beside still waters. My kids loved demonstrating the sheep rolling down the river.  Later, I realized that I had an English version of shepherding; the middle eastern version is not nearly so verdant and water is not nearly as abundant.  A place of abundant water is a place of health, wealth, relief, and life.

Now, listen to what Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38)   Do you see what this metaphor really means for the people around you?  It means that His Spirit in you brings life, health, education, community, service and meaningful work to those around you.  This is God's heart; that those who love him will be like an oasis in the desert for those around them.   

Are you an oasis to those around you?
Are you in a place that needs living water?
Is there something that is stopping those waters from flowing out of you?

I encourage you to find an organization you trust and think about helping to provide clean water somewhere in the world this season - out of thankfulness (you can search clean water projects and find a TON).  Also, consider if you are allowing His life to flow through you to bring life, health and  community to those around you. 

Don't let this metaphor be lost on you any longer!