Another step closer to Christ. Another step closer to Christmas. Let’s see if we can shed some light, the light of the star, as Christmas approaches.
Following Monday, and then the 21st through Christmas Day I will be doing Christmas special Blog Post releases regarding Christmas. Please follow and pass them along in keeping Christ at the center of the season, for He is the shining Star!
Light (noun) – the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
The main source of light on Earth is the Sun. Sunlight provides the energy that green plants use to create sugars mostly in the form of starches, which release energy into the living things that digest them. This process of photosynthesis provides virtually all the energy used by all living things.
The speed of light in a vacuum is a fundamental physical constant, the currently accepted value of which is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or about 186,282 miles per second.
On average, the sun is 93 million miles from the earth. It would take 1,430,769 hours to drive there at 65 miles per hour. It would take 59,615 days to drive there at 65 miles per hour.
There are 6 trillion miles in a light-year (approximately), so the distance we need to go is 6 trillion miles/light-year times 4 light-years, or 24 trillion miles. So, this trip would take 1.2 billion hours. There are 24 hours a day and 365.25 days per year, so this time in ‘years’ is 137 thousand.
My mind can’t comprehend all of that. But I think this is why God is ever-present. Light is fast. But God spoke light into existence, so how fast is His word? He (God) speaks and it is…it exists. So when God speaks, it is right now – not yesterday, not tomorrow.
Genesis 1:3 ESV
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Yikes, now my brain hurts. Let’s get back to everyday-kind-of-light. Light is a wonderful thing. Light is lightning fast. It helps us see and guides us. Lights can be very beautiful. Also, light reveals things to us – those things we need to see and those things we don’t want to see!
Even with the dark, we want to light up the night. What gets the party started? Lights! But in the quieter romantic times, we like that small French restaurant with the dimly lit table in the corner with candlelight. Even in the midst of light, there’s the spotlight or added light to highlight and bring attention to something.
We use light to set all kinds of moods and ambiance. Light gives energy and life. Florida promotes light, “The Sunshine State!” We light up the sky in celebration, like the 4th of July. And Christmas is a favorite as ‘the Griswolds’ (from Christmas Vacation) in us all comes out during the Christmas season in the lighting of trees and houses.
God’s Word on Light
John 8:12 ESV
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Let God’s word make you whole. This is relative to you. What is the light you need from God’s word for your life?
Isaiah 58:8 ESV
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then not only in you, but let God’s light work through you, to reflect that image, that light, to others.
Matthew 5:14 ESV
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:16 ESV
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Carmen (my wife) has this verse (with an outline of Nicaragua) tattooed on the inside of her right foot honoring God and the light He has shed on her path, particularly her heart for friends she has made in Nicaragua. We had two (sponsor) children there (Danny and Margarita) and still have Lutz. And we have Khatia in Ecuador. The tattoo:
Psalm 119:105 kjv
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.
Challenge for the Next Few Days
Two-fold. 1 – Let God’s light shine fully into your life; 2 – Let God’s light shine fully through you into other’s lives. Allow this to be in everything you do, whether work, business, family, or play. It’s easy to follow Jesus in our everyday-walking-around-kind-of-life because He LIGHTS the way for us. He is the light of the star. So be it!
Awesome