Daily Inspiration
Illumination
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
~ John 8:12
C. S. Lewis left behind a multitude of quotable writing, but one of my favorites has to do with God's light: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” (from Theology Poetry, 1945) If the sun is shining, we do not even have to see it; it must be there, because without it, we would be in almost total darkness, unable to see anything except the shadowy outlines that the meager starshine might afford us. Of course, we would all be dead anyway; the sun is not just how we see, it is the first requirement of our physical lives.
We do get wisdom from men, but what is their wisdom except the moon, reflecting dimly the glorious and powerful sun? Truth comes from God, and His truth is perfect, as different from the truths of human writers as the sunshine is from the light of the moon. As Paul tells us, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV)
Atheists and agnostics ponder and agonize about the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life, searching for some ultimate and justifying reason for human existence, particularly their own. Philosophers fill books. But how do the expect to find a lost item by groping for it in total darkness? And yet, if you try to hand them a flashlight, they mock you.
The better we learn God's Word, direct and unfiltered by external values or our own biases, the better we can see. We can see right and wrong. We can even see our own sin, if we are honest and forthright; but it takes a very bright light. Only in direct sunshine can we hope to see where we ourselves go wrong, because our nature is to protect our fragile egos from fully seeing and admitting our faults.
Lord God, let me trust you enough to allow you to show me my faults, knowing that your forgiveness is infinite. Amen.
~ Mason Barge
Editor, Daily Prayer
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