Even in the first chapter of Genesis there is God, using the light and the dark to display an image.
Genesis 1:3-4 "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness."
God created the light and dark, he also used the light from a fire to guide His people in the book of Exodus.
Later in the new testament there are two passages that always come to mind when I think of Light and Dark.
John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven"
A few days ago, as I was driving home from San Francisco with Jon, I began looking out the window and noticing all the stars in the sky and then gazing upon the skyline of the city, all lit up with bright lights with the dark night sky as its great contrast.
I noticed something in those moments, something beautiful. I am captivated by light. Whether it be the little specs of light in the night sky signifying a great expanse of beauty far beyond the Earth, or the city lights that emanate from the buildings all around the city of San Francisco.
Have you ever noticed that we are generally as human creatures absolutely amazed when we gaze upon a lovely Sunrise? A beautiful sunrise will catch your breath. It's the amazing blending of all sorts of colors you rarely see taking over the darkness that came before. There is a beauty in standing before a wonderful sunrise that can leave you amazed. Sunsets are just as brilliant and often bring even more of the color spectrum catching your eye as the colors dance all over the slowly fading sky. When watching a truly beautiful sunset you always stand there wishing the sun would never really go down, and that the sky could stay those awe-striking colors forever.
It's all about this contrast, this beauty of light on a dark background.
What finally occurred to me is that if I find the sunrises, sunsets, simple specs in the sky, and city lights tp be so captivating, than wouldn't it be for God as well?
What I mean by that is, that we were made to appreciate beauty, we were created to appreciate Him. His creation is just a glimpse of Him who created it. If I find a light in the contrast to darkness so beautiful, I would imagine that means that he finds it equally, if not more beautiful than I do. I am made in His image and hardwired to appreciate His beauty. I can't help but believe that he intended us to appreciate these lights in darkness.
What strikes me even more is that Jesus was The Light. When God the father looked down on all humanity and saw Jesus, He was the light! God had to have looked down and seen all the darkness that this world offers with its sin and idolatry and simply found rest and beauty in His Son, The Light.
What's even more amazing is that we are called to be light as well. Lights to the world. Lights in the darkness. A city on a hill. We get this beautiful blessing of not only admiring the Light that God created and made beautiful for us, but created us to be that beautiful light for the rest of the world to see and in turn worship Him!
This world is filled in what sometimes feels like an unending darkness, but I can find rest in the light, in Jesus, in the gentle reminders of light in the darkness all around me. I can be humbled in remembering that God chooses to use a willing heart to submit to Him and spread His light to the nations.
What I mean by that is, that we were made to appreciate beauty, we were created to appreciate Him. His creation is just a glimpse of Him who created it. If I find a light in the contrast to darkness so beautiful, I would imagine that means that he finds it equally, if not more beautiful than I do. I am made in His image and hardwired to appreciate His beauty. I can't help but believe that he intended us to appreciate these lights in darkness.
What strikes me even more is that Jesus was The Light. When God the father looked down on all humanity and saw Jesus, He was the light! God had to have looked down and seen all the darkness that this world offers with its sin and idolatry and simply found rest and beauty in His Son, The Light.
What's even more amazing is that we are called to be light as well. Lights to the world. Lights in the darkness. A city on a hill. We get this beautiful blessing of not only admiring the Light that God created and made beautiful for us, but created us to be that beautiful light for the rest of the world to see and in turn worship Him!
This world is filled in what sometimes feels like an unending darkness, but I can find rest in the light, in Jesus, in the gentle reminders of light in the darkness all around me. I can be humbled in remembering that God chooses to use a willing heart to submit to Him and spread His light to the nations.
