
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!
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!