I’m sure you have stepped into a dimly lit room that was lacking
sufficient lighting; dingy and gloomy; seemingly missing that alive-feeling and
having to move slowly as if you were walking in a crypt, catacomb, or burial
chamber, to put it grimly.
I don’t think there is any worse feeling than squinting to try and see
clearly, because of the absence of light, while holding your hands in front of
you to ward off any potential surprise bump to the head.
Darkness, without light, for long periods of time can bring about
sleepiness, low energy levels, depression, and different mood swings. People living in Alaska
The amount of sunlight a person receives affects some of the body’s
hormones and the chemicals in the brain.
One theory is that light stimulates a part of the brain called the
hypothalamus, which controls mood, sleep, and appetite.
I built the ranch style house that I now live in about 28 years
ago. It has two hallways; one at each
end that connects the master bedroom and the front bedrooms to the rest of the
house.
The only problem with both hallways was the absence of natural light,
though I provided two ceiling light fixtures in each hall, thinking that they
would be adequate. Something had to be
done after years of putting up with the artificial lighting that was not enough
to bring total satisfaction to the eye gate.
I could have chosen to exist in the shadows longer than I did, but the
small amount of light-output finally got the best of me. It was dark without turning on the lights, to
say the least. Shadows from low luminous
fixtures were not only man-made counterfeits for natural lighting, but my monthly
electrical bill revealed the truth of my oversight at time of construction,
because the lights were continuously on.
The installation of skylights was the answer. Brightly polished sheet metal shafts were
installed from my dark hallways, through the attic, to outside light of the
sun. Wow! What a difference! These solar skylights were the answer to my
dilemma.
I now exclaim, “I see the light!” rather than “Where’s the light?”
while reaching for the light switch. It took awhile to break this habit.
Stumbling through these areas came to an end. The shadow that I now cast is from the true
light that was created by God and not man.
The connecting halls are no longer encumbering. The mistake
of omission when framing my house has been resolved.
For a number of days after installing the skylights, when leaving the
brightly, illuminated passageways I would always reach for the light switch to
turn off the lights, which were not on. But sooner than later I ceased doing it, while
enjoying the brightness of sunlight.
Several years ago when my wife’s parents were still living, she and I
thought it would be nice to take them to a fancy restaurant for their
anniversary, which proved to be a memorable evening.
Coming in from the outside brightness of the setting sun, we could
hardly see when following the waiter to our reserved table. I guess it is called, mood-ambiance; using
soft lighting. I don’t know if they were
trying to save on electrical costs or trying to be like the restaurant down the
street. It was dimly lighted, none the
less.
The reputation of the establishment was well-known for its good
food, especially the steaks they served—Dad, as I called him, loved steak and
potatoes.
When our meal came, I prayed over it and blessings upon Mom and
Dad. As we began to eat, suddenly,
without provocation Dad said, “Where’s the light? I can’t see what I’m eating!”
He was a lovely man of God that spoke his mind without fear or
favor. A person never had to guess what
he was thinking; he just let you know. I
learned much from his life experiences of walking with God and how to honor and
love the Lord by keeping His commandments.
It was the first and last time that we went to this particular
restaurant to eat. I too thought it was
much too dark for customers, especially those that may be visually
impaired.
My wife and I chuckle every time we think about this special time
together with her folks. I wish they
were still around to enjoy their company, but we have wonderful memories of
them as examples of the Christian life they lived before us. They are certainly in a better place enjoying
their reward for a life of serving God. The grace of God was imparted to them through Jesus Christ our Savior.
“Amazing Grace” is a popular song that many people know and have
perhaps sung. The last few words of the
lyrics are these: “Was blind, but now I
see” which references a life without Christ; having eyes that were blinded by
Satan to the truth of God’s Word, but then being transitioned from sinful
living into the light of God’s love, which brought sight to blinded eyes.
It gives me pause to think how important light is. In the beginning God said, “Let there be
light.” He saw that it was good. God thought it most important to create it.
For many years I stumbled along in darkness rather than walking in
light, because of the sinful nature of my heart. My way was darker than the hallways at my
home and the poorly lit restaurant where we ate.
My soul desired true light that would illuminate my way with clarity of
vision, but I was looking in all the wrong places; dimly lighted pigpens and parties not conducive to good eyesight or quality, moral values.
The ratio of light to darkness in my world of rebellion was quite low,
which led me into deeper involvements with sin.
Not being able to see does this, because my head was bent low with eyes
looking downward; trying to see where to place my next step. The shroud that encompassed me was thick and
heavy, which prevented me from seeing the EXIT signs that God was trying to
show me.
(John 3:19-20), “And this is the
condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” vs.20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the
light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”
In desperation I finally lifted my head and realized there was
something greater in life than the blackness that engulfed me. When I turned my eyes upon Jesus and looked
into His wonderful face, it was like someone blasted my soul with a beam of
light from heaven; much brighter than when I installed the solar tubes in the
hallways at home.
The wide road to destruction on which I was lost, changed, as did the
direction of my being. I now travel a
different road that is never cloaked with the darkness of sin, because Jesus,
the Son of God, is the light that provides clear vision. He is the pure and only light that is needed in this world
of depravity. In Him there is pureness
of heart and a hope.
The ebb and flow of non-pureness and the obscurities that sin produced,
stopped. The ups and downs of depression and different mood swings, because of the lack of light in my life, ceased when I
stepped into the light of God’s love.
With Jesus in my soul, the question, “Where’s the light?” will never be
asked again.
(1 John 1:5-7), “This is the
message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and
in Him is no darkness at all.” vs.6 “If
we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do
not practice the truth,” vs.7 “But if we
walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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