I took this unedited smartphone image long after sunset last month.
We were standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, facing a brisk, chilly wind.
The joke was on us, in a way.
Friends and fellow travelers had gushed about the incredible display of stars to be seen at the canyon. "You'll see the Milky Way and constellations like you've never seen them before!"
The truth is, we've enjoying star gazing in the "pitch dark" on many occasions. Camping, hiking in other national parks where there is no ambient light. Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Tetons, Yellowstone, Badlands....as well as canoe trips in the Ontario Boundary Waters.
But my bride and I were all-in to see the Canyon's stars. Despite the gusty breeze, we meandered along the rim until we found a suitable vista point and clambered out of the car.
Except...this is what we saw! The full moon was SO bright that it actually lit up the canyon and cast shadows! It was dazzling. Star gazing - and the Milky Way - we're not on our Grand Canyon agenda for this trip.
It feels oppressive to me at times. Millions of people are literally shouting down our faith in God. Others work stealthily behind the scenes and undermine rational thought about what our children should learn. "My truth," takes precedence over Jesus' Truth, ("I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." John 14:6). So many lost and unfortunate people have used darkness of night for property destruction and callous, nonchalant violence against their neighbors.
Jesus is the Light.
If the Grand Canyon were the deepest, darkest, most oppressive cultural moment before us, then Jesus is the spectacularly moonlit night. He transcends all darkness. A Light so bright that we are able to better see and understand what lurks in the shadows, what fears to face the Son of God.
John 1:5
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 8:12
"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.”
The Light of life can overcome - and overwhelm with God's love - the empty, fruitless darkness.
2Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Can you shine that Light over this way please...?
What do you believe?
3 comments:
What song comes to your mind when you see this light?
What Wonderous Love is This - all 6 verses!
Interesting. I found some lyrics with 4 verses, some with 7 but I didn't find the 6. But worship it justified.
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