The Warmth of God's Light

‘Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as light in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).

Hey Gang:  My brother was a warrior.  On the last day of World War II he was in China, preparing to go into combat with his marine division to clean out the final Chinese stronghold held by the Japanese. Upon being discharged from the Marines he reentered high school, to gain his diploma, so he would qualify to join the Air Force and become a combat pilot.  This he accomplished two years later.

In his tenure as a fighter pilot he served in several venues and eventually became a flight commander in Viet Nam where he served two tours.  He had the option to return a third time and, if he accepted, would be promoted to General.  He turned it down because he felt he had been spared on two trips into the war zone and feared pushing his luck three times was not in the best interest of his family. 

I asked him if this was his toughest tour of duty and he said, “no”.  He said his toughest was the year he was assigned to the blue line in Point Barrow, Alaska, during the cold war.  He said it was not a physical fear that military men in a war zone experience but a mental fear that eats at the hearts of those assigned to this place of duty. 

He said he could not describe what it is like to live underground for a year and not see the sun for nearly six months.  He said, “I do not know what it feels like to be a vegetable but, after six months of darkness, you begin to feel like one.

I am blessed because my office window points to the East and I see the sun come up most mornings.  O, there are overcast days that are common in Michigan, but we are blessed with far more sunny days than grungy days when the sun is hidden from our view. 

Can you imagine a day when God sent a message to the sun and said, “Take a hike for a week or so.”  Think about that. No sun, no warmth, no nourishment for plants, animals and humans on which to flourish.  We invited a neighbor to dinner the other night and he brought my bride the biggest Poinsettia I have ever seen.  It was beautiful for several weeks as it sat on the table by the open window.

 Each mooring the sun rays hit it and gave it new life but the book said when the season for Poinsettia is over, they must be kept in complete darkness so they will go into a kind of hibernation.  It did not take it long to get the droppies and become like the eagle that cannot fly.  Did you know when something happens to that majestic bird that prevents it from getting off the ground it become a very dirty bird?  The same for poinsettias, when out of the sun they become very dirty plants.

Hey gang, the sun just came out.  Thank you Lord.  The colonel said for one year, 365 days he did not see one iota of life outside the confines of their underground prison.   

As the sun shines on the earth, so the Son of God wants to shine in our hearts. We are living in a cold and dark world.  God is looking for people who are willing to receive spiritual light from Him.  A true child of God will reflect God’s light, thus touching others and spreading the warmth of God’s love to them.  We do this when we encourage our brethren and sisters to be faithful and when we “…do good unto all men” as we have opportunity (Gal. 6:10).

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt.5:14-15).

Keep in mind, my friend, that when you leave your abode in the morning you enter the mission field.  But also remember your abode and family are also your mission field.

Blessings,

Gramps