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)
