Sometimes when we are doing finishing work on windows it's difficult to see small spots or smudges.  One way to find these is to look at the window from different angles so we can catch the light coming through and find the spots.  This is usually effective if we have a decent amount of light coming through, however sometimes there is actually an easier way to find our missed spots.  We look for shadows that the spots create.  If you look at the picture above, on the window frame, you can see a light grey shadow just to the left of the window lock.  This shadow is a sign that there is a smudge on the window shaped like the shadow...if I know where the light is coming from it tells me right where to look to find it.

Though I prefer to talk about light, the reality is shadows can be very informative, in window cleaning as well as in life.  As I think about this concept the applications to life seem plentiful.  One of the first thoughts that comes to mind is a common phrase that my daughter likes to use.  When someone brings up something negative about someone else she says they're "casting shade".  Drawing attention to some stain or "smudge" in their character, which can affect the person's reputation.  We all have our "smudges", and we do our best to hide them, to show our better sides.  The reality is when we are in the light of day and folks get a good look at us, they always seem to show up...people see the shadows they create in our lives.

In scripture these marks which cast shadows over our lives are called "sin"...areas in our lives where we have strayed from the path Jesus shows us, the path God made us to walk in and reveals to us as we read his Word.  These verses come to mind:

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Philipians 2:14-15)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.(James 1:17)

In Genesis the bible says we were made in God's image...we are supposed to resemble him. We are to shine like stars in the night sky, our light reminding people of the light of God, his purity, his truth.  When we sin we tarnish our ability to give off His light, there is a shadow.  The shadow is due to our change from the standard he has set, and made us to reveal.  The signs are fairly obvious - outbursts of anger, disrespect towards others, selfish behavior, a weak moral compass, a lack of love and understanding towards others.

No one likes these shadows to be revealed in their lives, but when they are revealed, we are forced to admit something is missing. There is a foreign substance affecting our ability to reflect God's light, and we need to get it cleansed.  Thankfully, our God is all about cleansing, and as we draw near him his light will reveal the source of the shadow in our lives.  Because of Jesus, we know he will cleanse whatever is blocking his light.

Do you sense an area of shadow in your life?  Have others made comments that have made you wonder if you are "off" in your walk with God?  How can you bring that before God this week?

Peace

A few weeks ago my wife and I traveled to Seattle, Washington.  It was just a fun trip to go on for a New Years getaway.  My wife had been to Seattle on business before but had not really had time to see the city and area, and I had never been.  We hit the major sites in the city, the fish market, the underground, and took a ferry over to Bainbridge Island.  The city is truly beautiful, even in late December - surrounded by snow capped mountains and water, with Mt. Rainier looming large on the horizon.

Another reason we went to Seattle though was to see my favorite football team, the Arizona Cardinals, play the Seattle Seahawks in the last game of the season.  I used to watch the Cardinals when I was a kid in St. Louis, and although my interest in following them faded when they moved to Pheonix, I still was attached to them deep down.  When Kurt Warner (whom I had come to love when he played for the Rams) became their quarterback in 2008, my fandom was re-kindled in the Cardinals, and I have followed them ever since, even now that Kurt is long gone (and in the HOF!).  In any case, I was exited to see them play their divisional rival Seahawks in their own stadium, where the Cardinals have had a lot of good fortune of late.

I have to admit though, the boisterous reputation of Seattle fans at CenturyLink field was known to me, and I was a bit intimidated at the thought of wearing my Red and White in the midst of a sea of Green - their vaunted 12th man.  The fact that Seattle actually had chance to make the playoffs and a loss to the Cardinals would put them out of the running only served to heighten my nervousness.  Visions of fans screaming - "there's a Cardinals fan! Get him!!" floated through my head as my wife and I walked up to the stadium.  It was then, as I was walking through a throng of neon green jerseys, hats, coats and other apparel wearing my Cardinals red jacket and black and red cardinals hat, that I noticed something.  Something peculiar, and wonderful.  Other Cardinals fans!  Granted, they were few in number in comparison to the green throng, but they were there...and they were vocal!  With out exception, every Cardinals fan that walked by me either shouted "Yeah!  Go Cardinals!!", or let out a loud "Woooooooo!" and pointed to Diane and I, or high-fived us as we walked past.  It was totally unprepared for this support, this feeling of camaraderie and worth!

The situation reminded me of the story Elisha and his servant when they were surrounded by enemies (2nd Kings chapter 6), and Elisha's servant asked him in panic what they were to do.  Elisha answered his servant saying, "there are more with us than there are with them" - and he asked God to open the eyes of his servant so he could see the army of angels that were surrounding the enemy!  Ok, so I'm not saying the Seahawks fans were enemies per se, or that I had an army of "angelic" Cardinals fans on my side, but I am saying that seeing the random Cardinals fans and being encouraged by them made me feel like I had an army of angels around me.  Suddenly I didn't feel isolated and vulnerable or intimidated.  I was free to cheer my team on to the fullest of my ability, which I did.  As a matter of record, 99% of the Seahawks fans were very nice and respectful of my right to cheer for the other team.  Yes, there were a few that jeered at me or made derogatory comments - mostly in jest but a couple were the heartfelt kind.  However, the impact of these few moments was completely insignificant compared to the boost I got from my fellow Cardinals fans.

I wanted to share this story with you guys not because it had anything to do with windows, but because it did have something to do with "views".  Our outlook has a lot to do with how we handle situations in life.  Mine was a bit myopic - I was only thinking about how a few rude/obnoxious Seahawks could really ruin my experience of the game, and was not even looking for the supportive boost I would get from the Cardinals fans in my midst!  In fact, the Cardinals fans were almost always supportive and positive, pulling for our team in "enemy" territory, whereas the Seahawks fans were almost never negative towards me being at their stadium and rooting for my team.  My view was limited and so my outlook was jaded.  I also learned the power of encouragement, even by one person in the midst of a crowd of nay sayers.  One person can provide the courage and backbone someone needs to say something important, or to do something that needs to get done, or provide peace so someone can relax and enjoy their football game!  Go now, and notice voices and smiles of those who are really for you in your life, and not just the voices that oppose.  While your at it, look to walk with someone who is feeling alone in what seems to be a scary but important path in their life...maybe even give them high five!

Blessings,

Greg

We've begun to do more and more power washing at True View.  Something that has amazed me and many of my customers is just how dirty their white siding really is.  They usually call us out because of a wall on the shady side of their house that is covered in an unsightly greenish mold.  It is the other sides of the house though that amazes them.  They were sure just the one side really needed cleaning, but like the picture above reveals, they discover there are definite degrees of white!  When we're done it looks like they have a whole new house!

When a recent customer commented on this, it made me think about how many things in life seem perfectly clean, functional, and in order until we get a close look at them, or we expend a bit of energy to maintain and keep them up.  We suddenly realize time has indeed degraded or crusted over what seemed clean enough from a distance.  A lot of times we know what the condition of these items are, but we're afraid to really look close or even start to work on them because we know, the minute we get a spot clean, we will be committed to do the whole job, and we're not ready for that yet.  Problem is, our job just keeps getting harder and harder which makes us less and less likely to get started!

Sometimes, though,  there are "items" in our lives that really need attention, and that affect us greatly when they get neglected.  In particular, things like our finances, our health, and relationships with important people in our lives or our relationship with God.  We're afraid of what we'll see when we take a good look at those things and scratch a little dirt off the surface.  We're afraid what's underneath will be ruined or unsalvageable.  So instead by waiting we deny ourselves the possibility of actually receiving blessing from those areas in our lives.  As it is put in Galations (6:7b) "whatever one sows, that will he also reap."  The verse is referring to positive or negative seeds (deeds) being sown, but one may also gather from this verse that a lack of sowing will certainly affect what we are able to reap.

Another verse on that could be helpful is Hebrews 3:13, which says "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today,"  so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness."  Most of the time all that we need is a voice of encouragement, the voice and company of a friend or family member to give us just that bit of motivation we need to get started on renewing something in our life that really needs attention.  God also is more than ready to encourage us through prayer and reading his word, if we set aside time for him to work in our lives.  What "items" in your life need a little "power" washing?!  What areas of your life rob you of peace or blessing?  If they seem too daunting to touch, who can you ask to partner with you, pray with you and encourage you?  Who might walk that path with you? Who do you know that you could be that kind of a friend to?

Nothing is impossible with God...remember?! (Matthew 19:26) The Lord is in the renewing business!

Blessings,

​Greg 

I recently made a trip to Steamboat Springs Colorado. I love the mountains of Colorado, and I'm an avid skier.  As avid as I can be while living in Missouri.  I did live in Colorado while in seminary, and fully enjoyed the mountain air and winter fun!  Occasionally, to get to and from the winter fun areas, you have to experience the decidedly un-fun.  Driving around mountain passes when you can barely make out the road is a fun-sucker.  The picture above is what I saw outside of my windshield while driving across Rabbit Ears pass, just south of Steamboat Springs.  Note the "curvy road" sign.  Oh boy!  Felt very much like I was bob-sledding.  Fortunately there were not many cars on the road (hmmn...I'm pretty sure that says something about me but I'd rather not analyze that).

This picture made me think of several aspects to windows that I have not explored as yet.  In particular, the blessed ability of a window to shield you from the harsher side of the elements, while letting you still experience the beauty and awe they represent.  I can't imagine what driving a vehicle in these conditions would be like if there were no windshield, just an open hole instead of a windshield.  I don't think I would have made it through this pass though.  If my face didn't freeze off in the first ten minutes, the constant barrage of wind and snow would almost certainly cause me to drive into a ditch, or worse, off a cliff.  That windshield is thing of beauty, most appreciated!  Windows in cars allow us to function successfully in harsh environments, enabling to get where we need to be when we need to be there. They are the shield that provides us the peace and clarity in a storm.

If you think about it the above might sound like some people you know - someone who serves as a shield for others, standing in between them and the harsher elements so they can experience the peace they need to live and fulfill their purpose.  This would be a great description for a Christian disciple.  It reminds me of this verse from Philippians 2:1-4

 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Who has been like a shield in your life, protecting you from the brunt of pain, embarrassment, or sorrow?  How could you show them your appreciation, or let them know you recognize the gift of peace they have given you?  Is there someone you know that needs a shield in order to function, in order to find God's purpose in their life?

This year True View Windows is going to try to be a shield for a young man named Phil Trad.  He is someone I met years ago as a teenager who was involved in the youth ministry I served.  As a youth I knew Phil had a great love for Christ and a passion for service, which he proceeded to demonstrate this over next several years, attending just about every mission trip and retreat that the church put on.  Phil proceeded to attend Barclay college where he completed a degree in youth ministry himself, and is now working for Youth for Christ in Kansas.  Phil has dedicated his life to reaching the current generation of youth with the message of God's love expressed through the life of Christ.  Believe me, this generation needs to hear this message!  I am so thankful for Phil's dedication, and for his gifts which will be a great asset in reaching teenagers.  Since Youth for Christ ministers are asked to raise their own support, True View Windows will be dedicating four of its monthly donations this year towards a fund supporting Phil so he can fully invest in his ministry.  If any of you would like to join True View in this effort, check out Phil's video below.  Also here is the link where you can donate to support Phil: http://yfcsck.org/phil.  Blessings!

A few months ago I traveled to Muncie Indiana to see my daughter perform in an opera produced by the music department of Ball State.  To be honest, I don't remember much about the opera except that my daughter looked quite professional on stage, the chorus she was a part of sounded great, and the title of the opera had something about a "bat" in it. It was in German, so it's hard to be sure. Der Fledermouse...or something like that.

What I do remember that had nothing to do with the opera was the dazzling display that we all enjoyed when we walked into the narthex of the theater.  I tried to capture the wonder in the picture above, but it would be hard to do justice without you actually being there to see the display.  Colors exploding all over the wall, which was the canvas for this very brilliant art work.

What might be hard to see is the source of these colors.  Placed all over the wall, with high powered lights focused on them, were shards of broken glass.  Glass of different shapes and sizes, at various angles. Of course, I was fascinated at purity and sharpness of the colors that emerged from these broken pieces of glass.  At first I thought the light beams must be focused on the edges of the glass, which functioned like a prism, splitting light into its component frequencies (colors).  I later discovered that the shards of glass had each been treated with different chemicals that made them filter out all light except a specific color.  White/clear light goes in, only purple or orange or red (etc.) light emerges.

This display has had me thinking quite a bit since we saw it back in May.  Here are several observations I have made:

1) How awesome is it that something so beautiful and modern can be produced by a bunch of broken glass!  This reminds me that the true worth of an item, or better yet, of a person, cannot be judged too quickly or by it's appearance. I am reminded of this verse in Romans:

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (14:4)

God can make his children stand...and even shine brilliantly, regardless of their current ignoble state. All of us have been broken in one way or another, all of us are incomplete.  Yet there are bold rays of brilliant color within each of us, and with a little practice, we can find the angle and the filter that will let us reveal that brilliance.  God will make us to stand, if we make ourselves his servant.

2)  Isn't it wild that light itself has such beauty within it - that something so pure, clean and plain comprises so many bold and sharp colors!  And vice versa - that so many bold and sharp colors can be combined in a way that yields pure, clear light. In a house, glass is made to let all frequencies of light in - pure, whole, true light.  Can you imagine a beam of black, red, yellow, blue, orange green, purple, and gobs of other colors coming together and forming clear, pure light??  To me, this is a perfect example of how a large group of independently gifted people, each unique, can come together and form a community that is strong and useful for many purposes.  Sounds kind of like how a church should be...in fact it reminds me of the Revelation of John where the churches are referred to as "lamp stands".  Makes me wonder if God was thinking about all the different colors contained within light when he called the churches lamp stands!  I think the display pictured above would be great to have in the narthex of the church...with a cross backlit with pure white light above the altar.  This would be a great reminder for people of the beauty of their uniqueness, and also of the power of whole, pure light.

Blessings

Access is important in my business.  We can't clean what we can't access!  Usually access problems in window cleaning involve a third story window with a sloping yard that prevents our ladder from reaching, or a window that is painted shut with a storm window blocking the outside panes.  Sometimes we will run into windows that have simply been walled over on the inside!

A couple weeks ago we ran into an access problem at a home.  There was a room on the top floor of a house that was locked.  We could tell there were windows in the room because we had seen them from the outside, and you could even see the light from them coming through the door frame. You might think this problem could easily been solved by getting the owner to open it for us, or perhaps the owner simply didn't want the windows cleaned.  But the owner couldn't solve our access problem in this case, because there was no way to unlock the door from the outside!  There was no keyhole or any recognizable mechanism that could open the door from the outside.  There weren't even any hinges accessible. Basically, unless someone inside the room decided to let us in, we were not gaining access to that room.  Unfortunately, we knocked, and no one answered.

Being a youth minister for a while you hear a lot of stories and illustrations that are focussed around helping people grant God access to their hearts.  At face value that kind of problem doesn't seem to be a real problem, since obviously God can get access to whatever he wants to access, right?  I mean, who could stop Him?  No one could shut him out if he was pleased to enter.

However, as we learn from scripture and in particular the life of Jesus, God's grand plan doesn't really involve busting down the doors to our lives.  He wants our permission, our invitation for Him to take part in our lives.  He respects and protects our personage, our freedom and will which he created.  He ASKS us to let him in:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  Revelation 3:20
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I have seen illustrations like the one above describing this promise of Jesus in The Revelation - a door with no handle on the outside, sometimes with Jesus knocking and waiting patiently on the outside.  The door I ran into at this home reminded me of this truth about how God relates to us.  An essential part of any relationship is willing involvement.  Relationships, at least healthy ones, can't be one way.  God made us with the ability to respond to him, to draw near...or to ignore him.  He calls to us and reveals himself to us along the way of our lives, but he waits for us to open the door.  This is true in the general sense of us responding to his call and seeking relationship with him, and it's also true once we know him and are growing in faith.  

It seems from time to time in our lives there are other doors in our lives that we keep closed, areas of our lives that we do not allow God access, that we do not take to him or over which we refuse to allow him to take control.  Because of this, we let these areas get in more and more disarray and this adds stress and chaos to our lives...robs us of peace.  Without doubt, choosing to take these areas fully to God, and through his counsel perhaps to other people of faith that can help us, can be a very anxious decision.  But on the flip side, how silly would it be to endure anxiety and a lack of peace for large periods of our life, only to find out in heaven what God had in store for us if we had just given him access.  He will let us carry unneccesary burdens if we insist on doing so, but wouldn't it be easier just to open the door, and trust his great love for us?

​Blessings

Today is February 20th, and it is warm outside.  I'm talking 70's warm.  I would say that this is unusual but of late it seems more like run of the mill weather for St. Louis.  I'm not complaining, this weather is definitely a bonus when it comes to window cleaning.  It's nice to wash in a t-shirt as opposed to a jacket!





I took the photo above because I loved the way the light was streaming into this house.  It made me feel warm just looking at it.  While thinking about this image and how it felt I was led to a couple of verses that fit the occasion.  The first is a familiar one out of Isaiah (9:2 to be precise):

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 

The verse caught me because I hadn't seen bright light like this for almost week because it had been overcast, and this image makes me think of light dispelling the gloomy sensation that cloudy skies create.  However, the more I thought about it, it was the cold that in my mind was being dispelled or banished.  A paraphrase came to mind - "the people walking in the cold have felt a great heat; on those living in the land of deep chill a warmth has dawned!"

Another verse I found was Ecclesiastes 11:7

 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

There is simply something calming about seeing the bright light of the sun on a clear day, even if it is freezing outside.  The light of the sun brings a certain joy and life that makes the cold bearable, and enables you to appreciate the beauty around you, such as a snow covered landscape.  There was no snow on the day I took this picture (it was far too warm for that!), but still the strength of the sun on this day was a pleasure to behold, and the light pouring in this room brought a sense of calm and warmth.

The bible also talks about a light and a warmth that can pour out of the human spirit.  The eyes of a person and their smile can convey this warmth with the same impact and result as the light of the sun.  Check out this verse from Proverbs (20:27):

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

I'm sure if you think about it, you know people who have demonstrated this gift or ability...you may have experienced a spiritual brightening in your own soul that radiated out to others when they needed it.  God, who is light, has made us to be great conductors and reflectors of his light.  Here is another verse from Proverbs (15:30)

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Think about the window image above.  Imagine if you could be like that window, bathing all who were around you in a warmth and the sense of peace that comes from such warmth!  I believe has equipped all of us to be able to do this for others.  Some may be uniquely gifted at this, but all of us have spirits that can transmit God's light and warmth.  Ask God to fill you with his light and warmth today, and ask him to help you open the curtains of your spirit so that light can pour out of you to someone who needs it today!

Blessings!

Light affects mood.  The truth of this can be demonstrated in innumerable circumstances, but the one that comes to mind for me involves a trip to a cave at a summer camp I attended in my youth.  The nature director of the camp had a tradition of leading a large group of us into a large interior chamber of the cave, and then having us all turn off our flashlights.  An absolute pitch black covered all of us.  You literally could not see your hand in front of your face.  With that shroud came a palpable sense of fear.  There was no getting out of that cave without light.  All sense of distance and direction was gone.  Sounds came from everywhere.  Had he not lit his lantern and spared us I'm fairly certain panic and paranoia would have led to mayhem in a short time.

It was amazing what one fairly small light could do in that environment.  The cave was filled with light.  Security and calm came with it.  A sense of hope!  We could see the exit again, and the path through all the rocks and ravines in the way.  Beyond just the hope of safe exit, it also revealed once again our community, and our director.  Hearing is one thing (and a valuable thing), but seeing is something else.  Light allows the faces of those near us to reassure us.  It allows us to be calmed by the confidence of our leader.  Eyes always go to the leader in moments of uncertainty.

The coming of Jesus, the Christ, has always been associated with light coming into the world.  Many of our Christmas carols make reference to this.  I have been hearing a lot of Carrie Underwood's version of "Do You Hear What I Hear" playing this Christmas.  I think she does a great job with the song, which has helped me to really hear the words.  It reminds me that the prelude to Christ's appearance was a star...a great light in the sky.  This drew the attention of all, and led those seeking comfort and leadership to the savior.  The external light God commanded to shine inspired the inner light of hope, and the feet followed that hope to the manger.  There was found the leader God provided, the Christ of God, God's own son, who would provide "goodness and light" to our souls.  

The world today often feels like a dark place.  Much of our culture likes to emphasize the "dark side", mostly because of its dramatic effect, but sometimes in our entertainment venues the dark side is made to seem heroic.  Given the very real evil that has presented itself boldly in recent times I would hope this trend would be reduced, but I'm not confident it will.  My wife complains that the science fiction television shows that tend to draw my interest always have the "lights off" - the settings are rarely sunny!  The mood they want is desperate - how else would it make sense for the need of a hero to arise? Still, the outlook for the future in these shows is gloomy, at best.  Dystopian movies and shows own the stage.  Too much darkness!

My wife and daughter and I went on a drive this Christmas Eve to look at the lights.  We had a great time seeing the creativity and care many took to light up the their particular corner of the world and bring cheer and a sense of hope with the holiday.  Often the displays were simple - a flood light on a manger scene. This is one tradition I am glad has maintained strong with Christmas - for both the religious and the secular.  It is a time for light.  As much as ever, the eyes of the world need a leader to look to - one who is known for goodness and light. Bring us hope, Lord!
​

As I like to say, light is a good thing.  Being in the window cleaning business, I am all about adding light to life!  No matter how many times I see dirty windows come clean, it always amazes and refreshes my soul to experience the resulting pure light coming through.  As a case in point, appreciate the difference in the two windows below:

The left window makes me go "ahhhh".  Seeing the world as it really is!

Of course, there is a point at which too much light becomes counter productive, even painful or harmful.  Direct light makes us turn our eyes away, and cancels our ability to see anything in the direction of the light.  I kind of captured what I mean in the picture below:
​

The view of the trees and sky blurs to the far right to point where all you see is white light.  I often find houses with tinted glass facing the east and west because as glorious as the views are from some of those houses, when the sun is bearing down on those windows in the morning and the afternoon the tinting is the only thing that makes the view from those windows tolerable!

As I thought about this aspect of light, I couldn't help but think of the description of God as light in the scriptures, and of the bright light that often accompanied the appearances of angels or visions of God.  For example, in Paul's experience on the road to Damascus, the presence of Jesus was encompassed in a bright light that made the men turn away, and indeed blinded Paul.  I think of God's characteristic of purity, that the concentration and intensity of the light that comes form him is too much for us to absorb.  I am reminded of God leading the Israelites out if Egypt from a distance...out in front, as if truly being in their midst would be too intense of a presence.  He met with Moses alone in the "tent of meeting" and Moses emerged glowing with light...the light from God made him glow!  Even Jesus, in his transfiguration, became a figure of bright light, and his disciples were afraid.

I'm sure this is why Jesus came to us the way he did, as a helpless baby dependent on the care of his parents.  Had he come in all his glory the pure, awesome truth of God's person would overload our senses, blind us if you will, to who he really is.  We would have missed all the subtleties of God's love and desire to know us.  His desire for us to engage him...to be approachable, so he might be known.  Jesus' human body was the "tinting" we needed so we could actually appreciate the truth and perceptible light that is God.  His light illumined the needs of others as much at is drew attention to himself...it revealed a life that demonstrated God's love for all of us.

Sometimes I think we get caught up in the idea and concept of God's immeasurable glory and power, and let that be the focus of our worship or honor of him.  He is immeasurably glorious and powerful.  He is so glorious and powerful that we can get lost and confused trying to speak of him, or appreciate him...he's too much to truly grasp, it all blurs to white.  But he elected to reveal his power through the veil of a weak, human body, through faithful actions that can be followed by the likes of you and me.  We too, can convey his light...not perfectly or purely, but with good effect, allowing others to experience a more colorful, clear life.  That kind of makes me go "ahhhh" too.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  (John 1:4)
​
Blessings...

Greg

Light reveals.  That's one of it's main attributes - it removes darkness and makes plain what is there to see.  Usually this is a good thing, since most of us like to know what's around us so we can respond appropriately to our surroundings.  Having our surroundings revealed is better for our safety, as Jesus indicated when he said "Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going" (John 12:35)


But there are times when we would rather not have things "revealed", particularly when the light is shining on things we don't want to see. I must confess there are times when I feel like cursing the revelatory powers of light!  Just recently I was working on a large piece of glass that was designed to bring light into the kitchen area of a home.  The window was elevated and stretched the across one entire side of the kitchen.  It's important to get these windows as clean as possible because people spend a lot of time in the kitchen and windows like this one are a focal point.  I had scoured over every square inch of this piece of glass and was sure it was spotless.  However, a few minutes later the home owner asked me if I had washed that window yet.  She didn't think I had washed it yet!!  I couldn't believe it.  I thought she must have cataracts or something.  However, when I looked at the glass from the angle where she was standing, sure enough, there were streaks all over that piece of glass!  Light which had so cleanly passed through that window at one angle, was now revealing streak city, a metropolis of dirt that I SO wished remained invisible to me (and, frankly, the customer).  


But that's what light does.  It reveals.  It gives us the possibility of perspective.  When it is plentiful, it comes at us at all angles, exploring everything, letting us know "what is".  As much as I wished that window was clean, it wasn't.  As soon as someone's eye caught light from a particular angle, the dirt would be revealed...and funny thing, once some "dirt" is revealed, the eye keeps being drawn back to it!  Another interesting thing is some angles are difficult to achieve close up...you have to stand back at a certain distance to catch just the right angle of light.  This makes it hard to actually clean the glass without someone helping you from a distance, telling you where to clean, and letting you know when you've succeeded in cleaning the spot.


This got me thinking about how Jesus was called the "light of the world", and how as we draw near to his light our own souls are revealed.  This too can be an uncomfortable thought, because none of us are perfect and we know standing near such a holy light will reveal our weaknesses.  Jesus also recognized and spoke about this, and in fact indicated this is the very fear that will keep some of us from drawing near to God:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:19-21)

What's funny about this is that his light is the very thing we need in order to be cleansed, or strengthened in our weak areas.  If we avoid the light, the "streaks" on our soul remain, and will affect us.  We also will be likely to wander into more grime.  A window left unattended will soon have more than just streaks seen from an angle...soon it will have streaks seen from many angles, and eventually it will be so spotted it will fail at its purpose, and even be counter productive to the extent you may want to cover it rather than let light come through it at all!  


It seems to me there are two things we can when our lives and souls accumulate "streaks".  We can do nothing, and allow our streaks to keep us in darkness, so we will not have to face them.  Or, we can draw near to Jesus, and let his light show us where we need some spiritual attention, and let him address that area in our lives.  After all, he is in the cleansing business.  And like cleaning streaks on a window, Jesus may use another person to help us stay focused on the right "spot" in our lives.  We may not be able to see our own weaknesses as clearly as those who know us and have a better perspective.


It would be nice if glass would just stay clean.  If angles didn't matter, because there would be no dirt to reveal.  In God's wisdom, life is not that way.  Things, and people, accumulate dirt.  They need to be cleaned.  This requires us to seek out God, and other people.  It means we need to be in relationship.  It means we need to be tended to, and cared for...which is not a bad thing!  I imagine in heaven, where light abounds, we will be fully known, and this will not be something to fear because we will also be embraced in care.


Blessings


Greg