Walking With God

Why does the Bible have so many references illustrating God as light? Can you take a walk in the country darkness on a cloudy night with no flashlight?

When I first moved to the mountains, where there is snow on the ground for four months of every year, I learned something new. Every spring, as the snow melted slowly away, a surprise would be waiting in the patches of dirt. Tiny blades of green grass were already pushing their way toward the light. That grass had become aware of the light, while the snow was still covering it.

More surprising, after that, as we raked the heavy, rotting layers of manure and hay away, in the cow pasture, yellowing grass had been struggling to grow beneath the soggy mess. It wouldn't have made it, but it had been trying, in all that darkness, sensing the light above. It began to green up again when exposed to the light at last.

Tonight, in the field, I laid my big flashlight on the ground, glowing on the snow, and walked away. Looking back, I saw my whole flock of sheep immediately run over to it, to examine it.

All life is drawn toward light. Toward the warmth that the light creates. There is nothing else so all-encompassing and necessary for life. In all cultures, humans are instinctively aware of a "higher power". If they decide to turn away, they call themselves atheists. If not, they search for God, like blades of grass stretch for the sun.

God created light first. Many times in the Bible, God is illustrated as light. Without light, all life on earth would die. Without light in our spirit, being salvation, our spirits will not reach Heaven. I see God illustrated by light in the Bible, as pertaining to:

... salvation and a personal walk with Christ,

* God is light. 1 John 1:5b The LORD is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1a Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth. 2 Samuel 23:4 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

* In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 You are my lamp, O LORD 2 Samuel 22:29

... wisdom,

* Our God gives light to our eyes. Ezra 9:8b O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:5b

... joy,

* Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. Psalm 4:6b

* Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. Psalm 89:15

... and comfort.

* By his light I walked through darkness! Job 29:3b

* When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. Job 29:24

Is there anything about another person, that encourages us as much as a smile? When someone has a sunny smile for us, it cheers us up. I always feel that God is smiling on me, when I know He is pleased with me. His smile in my spirit is a light to me. I yearn for His smile in my spirit. I want to make Him happy, and I want Him to be happy with me. That very yearning, is what gets us going on a personal walk with Christ. It is the same as though He were standing there in flesh and blood, with a gentle, loving smile, asking someone to take a walk with Him. A personal walk with Christ is the foundation of a happy spirit.