Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined. 

Light is life

Light lifts our hearts. We cling to the gentle autumnal light as fall fades into winter. Our eyes caress and delight in leaves of gold and rust that tenaciously cling to branches in the cool rays of November sun, as each day grows shorter.

We bask in the light, craving its rays, loving the orange sun sinking beneath strips of purple cloud before afternoon is done, eager again for it is rise to give us a new day.

Every morning, light gives birth to a new day from the dark of night, awakening our bodies and stirring our hearts to the beauty and goodness of life, a gift given again for us to know the goodness of the Giver.

Light is life. Without it there is no life, no growth, no glorious color to delight our senses and make us glad we are alive.

From ancient times, light has been associated with the presence of God and darkness with the feeling of God’s absence. Those who feel far from God dwell in the dark cold of absence where hope seems lost.

In the darkness, we hope for the light of morning to appear and awaken hope for life and love, for peace and beauty to appear again in their lives. We ache for the moment light breaks through and lifts our hearts that they may say again, “Thank you, O Lord, for you come to the dark places to lift my soul.”

You are light, O God. You shine in every love and grace-filled moment. Come shine in our darkness this day and awaken hope in our hearts for every tomorrow.

Pr. David L. Miller