This morning I was listening to the final day of my year long reading plan. Revelation 22:5 stuck with me all day today as I thought about the new heaven and earth being created. No more need for sun (I assume moon or stars also) because the light of the glory of God is enough to light everything. I think it really stuck out to me because of the season we are in that is inundated with sparkling twinkling lights (and glitter) scattered all over.
No more lights. No more candles. It sounds like January, doesn’t it? When the Christmas decorations come down and the decorations great and small are stowed away for another year. And the landscape that changes when there the lights of the roof lines and the wrapped trees and bushes are unplugged and stowed away until next year? It’s somewhat of a calm relief and kind of sad all at the same time for me personally. But the New Heaven and New Earth God creates that no longer is in need of the light sources will be the furthest thing from sad. Instead the glory of the Lord will illuminate all that He has made, continually bringing glory to Him!
God is light.
For me this chapter revolves around light entirely. So join me as I share more feelings than thoughts about what God and light evoke in me.
Physically, even with the birth of Christ we see the “glory of the Lord” shining around the angels that appeared. We see a star in the sky guiding the magi to find the Messiah. Physically we see the affect of the light God created for us and the life that it brings. We can’t survive without the sunlight. Everyone of us has experienced the simplicity in the difference between a brightly lit space and a dim one, indoors and out.
Spiritually, the light shows us what is right and true and holy. John says that we need to walk in the light. In other words ‘in step with’ what is right and holy. How else would we stay connected to God if we don’t walk in the light of Christ? Envision the ‘glory of God’ surrounding every word that He has written for us. It’s in every step that Jesus made on earth. It’s recorded by His disciples and His prophets. It is the light that leads us rightly. Spiritually it is what we need to follow to find and worship the Messiah.
Relationally, when we are choosing to live within God’s light, we automatically have fellowship with every other person who is doing the same. I picture the amount of light that is generated when we are gathered in unity over the Word of God. When we read and study and learn and grow together and our amens reflect the glory of God. I can envision the light that is collectively generated when, in fellowship, we are gathered to worship the Lord as one voice, of one mind, placing God in the rightful position of number one. Does that make sense?
Don’t misunderstand this as a human generated effort or affect. Or a mystical, other earthly thing. Literally, I read the word that tells me ‘God is light’. I read and understand the significance of light, because God has given us a physical example to show us a spiritual truth. I read and understand that the Spirit of God indwells every believer and know that His light is within us. When God looks upon us, I believe He sees a light show; reflecting all that He has done, in all of the lives, of all of the believers, all over the world, who gather together and praise Him, and talk about Him, and share life with each other. I hope and pray that every day it is a stunning display of His light, and it truly pleases Him.
This is what I will be carrying with me throughout this Christmas season. With the trees and bushes and rooftops that are brilliant with lights. Oh the world is mimicking the glory of God, and I am going to enjoy it. Imitation is the best compliment, right?
As you walk, run, or drive around to see the lights this year:
Remember where the true light comes from.
Remember why we need the light.
Take the time to spread the light as far as you can.