MORNING
LIGHT
by
Sue Carlisle
To
me there is no place quite like the mountains to enjoy
the first rays of morning light. The shadows of lush green
hillsides shelter wildlife as they move to favorite watering
spots. Sparkles of light dance on the lake's surface as
concentric rings ripple out from the spot where a fish
jumps to snatch an insect.
Wildflowers
display their colorful splendor to perfection while surrounding
mountains glow with golden tones as if they, too, celebrate
the start of a new day. The air is still heavy with dew
and the valley lies quiet, except for the energetic sounds
of birds arranging their morning plans amidst the hushed
whisper of the pines.
The
crackling campfire comforts my soul as I savor the scent
of coffee brewing and bacon frying. It is a time of renewal,
a time to refocus my heart on what is truly important.
Morning
light! We cannot live without it.
Only
a barren lifeless landscape can exist without light. It
is not possible for any living plant or creature to live
without light. Our oxygen and food producing plants have
to have light for photosynthesis. Plants are crucial to
us as our source of food, clothing, housing and oxygen.
Take a moment to think about that—no fruits, vegetables,
trees, grains, spices, chocolate, teas or coffee can exist
without light. Animals have to have something to eat and
oxygen to breathe in order to give us our eggs, milk,
cheese, bacon and trout. I wouldn't be able to sit by
the fire in my flannel shirt and wool socks without light.
Even the fire needs oxygen and wood to burn. No bird can
sing or fish jump without light.
God
really did say a lot when He said, “Let there be
light,” but he wasn't only talking about physical
light. Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”
(John 8:12).
The
Apostle Paul prayed for “great endurance and patience”
for the Colossians as they joyfully gave thanks to the
Father, who had called them to share in the “inheritance
of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Paul went
on to explain: “For he has rescued us from the dominion
of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son
he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins” (Colossians 1:12-13). Jesus died to offer
us the opportunity to live in a kingdom filled with light.
We
don't have to walk in darkness any more. We can learn
a new life from the manual of light, God's Word, and we
can enjoy God's rejuvenating life as we choose love instead
of hate, forgiveness rather than bitterness and purity
instead of immorality. Jesus forgives. Jesus heals. Jesus
brings life instead of death!
©Sue
Carlisle, 2006
