My grandfather once told me this story of a missionary who went to the Amazon. He was new, just learning the language, and he needed some supplies. So he went to the village general store and asked for a candle. The owner gave him a puzzled look and asked what for. The missionary said, "You know, a candle, to give light." At this, the owner looked downright offended. The missionary realized something was a bit off in their communication. He discovered that instead of a vela (which means candle) he had asked for a velha (an old woman). But it gets worse. "Dar luz" which means give light, is also the Brazilian way of saying "to give birth", in other words to have a baby. So instead of asking for a candle for light, he'd asked for an old woman to bear his child. A great first impression.
To give birth, to give light. Life and light are often connected in the Scriptures. John 1 is a beautiful example of this. There is a sense of expectancy, something coming that has been in the works since the beginning, but is only now coming into its fullness.
I took the picture above the day after the snowfall earlier this week. I had let Sam out into the field to play and was so struck by the light on the snow that I ran in to get my camera. The whole field was blanketed in white and glistening with crystals. And I thought, "What would the redeemed world look like?" Instead of the black night sky with speckled with the light of the stars, maybe it will look like crystals on white snow.
I think it will be beautiful.
Below is something I wrote that reflects what I believe the Lord was speaking to me regarding John 1:1-9. It is personalized, but not meant to be exclusive. It is important to hear what God is saying to us through a passage. I encourage you to do the same, but I also invite you to hear what He is saying to you as you read what He has been speaking to me.
See the world engulfed in darkness.
Life offers Himself to its plight.
The Light of all people.
Light shines brighter in the black.
The darkened look at it and turn away.
Not seeing, not hearing, not understanding, not believing.
Who will God send? Is there a witness to the Light?
Light shows itself through His Life.
His Life is in her. His Light is in her.
Light shows itself through her life.
Will she testify?
Will she be the vessel, the vehicle, the venue?
Through her witness people might believe that the Light is true, and real,
and gives Light and Life to all.
That Light has been given to me.
I carry it with me as I go.
It bears its Light in the darkest of places through me.
There are times when a messenger is necessary.
1 comment:
Great picture both in photo and in words Beck. I think that you are a light in a very dark world. And God will continue to pour you out as you are willing.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!!!
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