The details. God is ALWAYS in the details.
We went to the beach today. It felt amazing.
I realized that I don't just crave the sunshine...I need it. I need to feel the warmth of the light on my skin. I need to see the vibrant colors of the flowers, see the blue of the sky and the many colors of the gulf water. My skin needs the sunshine to give that healthy glow and erase the paleness of the winter months. The bright sun-filled summer months lifts my spirits. I thrive on the light.
In studying the life of Paul, I was reading Luke's writings from the book of Acts - chapters 9 and 26, which tell the story of Saul/Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul was not the most Godly man. He was spiritual, in that he was a very learned man in the scriptures, having attended Rabinical school since his teen years and he was well respected in his knowledge of the law of Moses but, he didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, he persecuted those who followed Him. He was an enemy of Christ.
So, on a travel that Saul took to the city of Damascus, an interesting thing occured. God wanted to use this un-likely man for His purpose but He had to clean him up first. He wanted to turn the persecutor of believers into a mighty man of God who would proclaim Christ as Lord and lead many to become believers of Jesus as the Messiah.
It is interesting to read the way God worked. We all know the story but I'll recap the highlights: Saul was walking down the road and all of a sudden at midday (Acts 26:13) a light brighter than the noon-day sun knocked him off of his feet. He was struck blind. The light he saw coming from the sky was Jesus. Jesus had already been resurrected so God's timing was perfect. Jesus began to speak to Saul from the light, as he was blind and lying prostrate on the ground. Jesus asked him directly - why are you persecuting me? This light, brighter than the noon-day sun not only got Saul's attention and exposed his sin - it also changed his life.
It amazes me that God is always in every....single....detail.
For example - light. Every detail of the nature of light points back to the nature of God- of who He is and what He does for us. Psalm 104:2 says that "The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment..." He covers himself with light - it's His outer layer - it's what we see.
So why light? In doing a search on the many abilities and properties of light I was amazed.
Light __________
PURIFIES. Scientists say that ultra violet light has the ability to kill 99.9% of the harmful microorganisms in water.
HEALS. Light has been shown to heal burns, burns, difficult-to-heal wounds, muscle and tendon sprains, damaged nerves, eye injuries, etc.
Brings CLOSURE. Doctors are using laser light as sutures to close wounds.
Relieves DEPRESSION. Research has been done on the effects of light with those who suffer with depression by altering levels of serotonin.
Brings GROWTH. Without light photosynthesis would be impossible
Brings WARMTH. Heat lamps are used with animals to warm the body
EXPOSES. Nothing can hide, we see every hidden thing, and even the colors are more vibrant. Doctors use bright light to see things during surgery.
FEEDS us. The ultraviolent rays of the sun hit the cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur. It's vital for our health.
Affects our REST. Research has shown the amount of light we receive has a direct impact on our sleep at night.
CALMS. It relaxes and calms our fear by lighting up darkness and casting out the shadows.
ILLUMINATES so we will not stumble on the rocks in our path.
Light has so many abilities - so many things that it can provide to us - things that we need to survive.
Jesus was the light as He appeared to Paul. He used the light of Himself to expose Saul/Paul's sin - to make him vulnerable enough to change his life. Psalm 104 says that God wraps Himself in light - He embodies it and I believe that He chose light because it serves as a visual example that He is and can provide everything that you need to survive.
Exodus 3:14 tells us that God is the “I am.”
He IS everything that you could ever need. I Am ______. You fill it in. What do you need?
Rest? He says I am rest.
You need healing? I am healing.
You need closure to wounds? I am closure.
Calming of fear? I am.
Purification of sin? I am
You need direction? I am.
For today - it's all that you need to remember - He is our light and He is able to be all that you will ever need.
My prayer today is:
“God you are the great I AM. You Are All I Need. There is not one thing that will occur in my life that You cannot and will not do for me. With your light You expose my sin then purify my soul from it. With Your light You heal my wounds then bring growth and restoration. And with your light You light my next step then calm my fear when I take it. The more I learn about You – the more I adore you. Thank you for being my light. Amen.”
