Me: What do you see?
J, thoughtful but without hesitation: Shadows.
Me: I like to watch the shadows dancing from the wind in the trees, too.
J, looking up toward to trees: Look at the sparkles! (The sunlight glinting off the leaves.)
There is beauty in the shadows of this world because they prompt us to look for the light.
To seek what causes the shades of darkness, leads us to the basic understanding that darkness is simply the absence of light and shadows are the result of light being obstructed.
This leads us to the revelation that there IS light.
And by light we can expose the hidden places and cast out the darkness.
To be a Christian is to understand that Christ is the Light of the world and only by Him can we clearly see and understand the things around us.
Light, by its very nature, cannot be overcome or overpowered by darkness.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
So take heart, because the darkness of this world cannot extinguish the Light of God, but by the Light all darkness will be illuminated.
When you look around and see the darkness of this world, look for the Light.
Each believer carries the Light of Christ with us every moment of every day. We were made to share in the work of brightening up a world going dark.
So may we shine the Light of Christ so that all may see.
“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.” Matthew 5:16
And may God be glorified even in our stumblings.
For while we are not perfect, He is.
And it is only by the darkness of sin still in us, that His perfect Light can shine in magnificent contrast.