The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:4-5
Light is a metaphor.
Not just in the gospel of John, either.
I am convinced that God created light, separating it from the darkness (Genesis 1:4) to help us better understand who, what, and how He is. From the sun and moon to the flickering of a candle, a part of His character is revealed to us in the form of light.
I am convinced that God is a fan of metaphor. In fact, I’d say He is inventor and father of metaphor.
An example came to me on a mountainside today. It is not quite as profound as the light one, and even less original. But it’s just as true.
I can’t think of a better illustration for our journey through the trials in this life than climbing a mountain. When you’re in the middle of an uphill hike, you cannot see the vista awaiting you at the end of the trail. Just as, when you’re enduring personal pain and difficulty, you cannot see where God is taking you.
Today, I stood at the highest point of Shenandoah National Park and gazed at the muted greens of a newborn spring in the mountains and valleys spread out before me. A perfectly contrasted warmth and nip of sun and wind baptized me as I sat there on a rock, breathless.
It gave me a peek, however brief, of what glorious things our Creator has in store for us when we persevere, following His lead. Surely the best views are to be found at the pinnacle of the steepest climb. And we can appreciate them all the more for the aching muscles and stubbed toes we’ve acquired along the way.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
elizabeth kipps 