The
painting A Trail of Light by Colorado Springs artist Bob Simpich shows a grove
of aspen trees with golden leaves lit by the autumn sun. The topmost leaves are
brilliantly illuminated while the ground beneath the trees is a mixture of
sunlight and shadows. The painter said of this contrast, “I can’t resist the
light filtered through to the forest floor. It weaves a special magic.”
The
apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, “For it is the God who
commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2
Cor. 4:6). Paul goes on to describe the reality of life in which “we are
hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; . . . perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”
(vv.8-9).
There
are times when it seems that the light of God’s face is dimmed because of our
difficulty, sorrow, or loss. Yet, even in these dark shadows, we can see evidence
of His presence with us.
If
we walk in filtered light today, may we discover anew that God’s light—Jesus—is
always shining in our hearts.
In
dark circumstances, God’s light is still shining in our hearts. (RBC)
