Light Always Wins

Year 6-Day 28:Today, I am grateful light always wins.

Light, glorious light. It lifts the spirits and makes the soul sing. It does. 

We have been been blessed with some sunny and warmer weather on this January weekend. The view outside looks nothing like January... and much more like March. This, too, shall pass, as winter still needs to do her quiet work, but for these sunny days, we will savor the light. 

My guys are science guys... and so is my new daughter.. I love to hear them in conversation and learn quite a bit from listening. Science is a reflection of our God who loves order, patterns and numbers... and then... there are times when we just have to wonder at his miracles. 

Light can be gentle or really bright. Children love a nightlight and adults who want to avoid stubbed toes benefit from them, too. Light cast out darkness. 

When you put light up against darkness... light always wins. Always. The darkness cannot consume it. That is no accident. It is by Divine Design. 

Pure light casts no shadow. Light a match and hold it up against a wall. The match itself will cast a shadow, but no the light. Try it. I promise. The flame will cast no shadow. The reason why flame often does not make shadow is because it itself is the source of light. Well... doesn't that have spiritual significance? 

In Matthew 4:15-16, Jesus is at the beginning of his ministry. John the Baptist has told the people that he is coming. And then, there he is. The now grown up odd little boy from Nazareth who is doing great things. Matthew references 

"In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” -Matthew 4:15-16. Isaiah 9:1-2

This is a verse rich in the promise of hope for the Gentiles... anyone not Jewish. Jesus is the light who has shined into the darkness.He will drive out death's shadow by casting his light. The Light of the World arrived in a strange package. A light in the starry sky appeared to honor and announce his birth. Those who sought him... found him. It was as true then. It is true now.

A month after Christmas... are we still seeking and chasing the star? 

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. -James 1:17

In life and in death... he never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He is the source. 

John the Baptist was cousin to Jesus and son of the priest, Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth. Zechariah was struck mute until the birth of John because he ticked off the angel Gabriel with his disbelief. (Note to self: don't irritate your angels.) When he could speak again, after the birth of John, he spoke this prophecy:

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,and to guide us to the path of peace.” -Luke 1:78-79 

It is not an accident that the song "Morning Has Broken" feels like a spiritual song. (Thank you Earworm for singing in my ear this sunny morning.)The morning light from heaven is about to break upon us with great promise and hope. 

This month has been a month of grief and sorrow in our own family, in our community, in our church family and beyond. But, His light casts out the shadow of death and wins. For those who know and trust him as Lord, there is peace. His precious light conquers the darkness.

Today, I am grateful light always wins.