Would more light help?

Parson to Person

With the first day of Spring behind us, we begin a new season, one in which animal, but especially plant life, returns to activity on this part of the earth. People are talking about seeing robins and watching for green shoots from the ground. Warmer temperatures and more daylight bring these changes.

Human life has seasons, too. We have lived through seasons of growth and discovery, seasons of rest and renewal, as well as seasons of difficulty, even seasons of darkness. We remember the challenge of the new, the euphoria of discovery, and the relief of rest. Far less popular are the seasons of difficulty, with the struggles to continue and overcome, or of darkness, with its confusion and discouragement.

Regardless of the season, when we are fully engaged, the season often seems endless — both the enjoyable and the onerous. The difference is the experience. “I could go on like this forever.” is one thing. “I wonder when this will end.” is quite another.

And I suspect that while we deal with (learn?) things during the experiences, the real learning comes afterward, after the thrill of the new or after the burden is lifted. Then is when we have time to comprehend what happened and how we lived through it. Then is when the light of truth dawns to bring wisdom. Some even speak of being enlightened.

Three years ago this week we locked down — gatherings of no more than 10 persons — as a pandemic precaution and response. Consider what we have endured and what we are continuing to understand about health since then. Some things were right and wise. Other things were erroneous and ignorant. We have the opportunity to be wiser for having endured.

One of the things that adds understanding to the circumstances of life is a thing called faith. By faith in the Creator and Master Designer of all, we are grounded in a belief that keeps us from being blown away in the easier seasons of life. That same faith keeps us from being overwhelmed and buried in the darker seasons.

People who have endured either or both seasons in faith may speak of what they learned of themselves, of others, of God through the experiences. Being enlightened is a good way to think of them. They cost energy and time. It would be good to realize a benefit.

The reverse is to continue “in the dark,” with little or no wisdom to show for the experience. As we progress in life, we should become more than we were, but not just more than 10 or 40 years ago. We should be more than we were yesterday!

Would more daylight help? If so, we are in the right season. In every new season the Creator of light gives light to those who seek it, asking only that we look and believe.

Want to know more? Look up a church congregation and experience faith as part of the family of God. Yes, we are people, so we all have a past, but come with us anyway as we look for more light!