Monday, June 7, 2010

Light – for the Next Step on the Dark Path of Life

“Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.”

~Psalm 119:105 (NRSV).

On a recent photography outing with my wife she noted that she’s a ‘light writer’ a.k.a. a photographer; photos meaning light and graphé meaning writing. I found a diverting Spiritual connection—light reveals God’s creation to the eye and his writing is known to us via the Word of God in the Bible.

We who believe in God are into light writing, though not of the photographing kind...

We see visibly the creative works of God—attributing them to him—and we also see the wisdom, truth and grace of God evident biblically. The Word of God is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12).

The words of God are written for our edification and response, his exaltation and also for our encouragement. They point the way for us to live life well. They are heaven’s light for our earthly path.

Focus for the Feet on the Path of Life for NOW

Light from God’s Word—the lamp and light for both feet and path—is required and provided solely for the next step. We don’t need it for the steps of tomorrow or next week, that way down the path we can’t even see yet, but for today. It’s for the immediate future.

We need to always remind ourselves of the words of Jesus:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

~Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV).

God incarnate said this.

Each day is enough for us.

So, Stop Worrying

Even though it’s normal and natural for people who don’t believe in God to worry, which is their prerogative, and to try and deal with the unknown future—not relying on the lamp that is God’s Word—it should be different for us.

We know better.

We should have faith that God will provide for us “as well.” We will be blessed with these things—that the Father knows we need—without needing to worry. We have a light for our paths so there’s no need to worry.

Better still, how well do we shine the Christ-light to others who see us staying calm, especially when the pressure’s mounting? How inspirational for the Kingdom would we be?

The light to our spiritual paths works to a concept known as ‘just in time.’ In our moment’s need we have all that we need to make the decisions we need to make. Life, in many ways, couldn’t be simpler.

Faith, here, works mainly for the moment. Faith is calmness, for the path is lit!

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.

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