My wife looked up at the clouds late yesterday afternoon as we headed home from work. She asked me, “Can you see the clouds in the western sky?” She went on to say, “There is a slim break in the clouds just above the horizon, and rays of the sun are shining through like the sun is sneaking its way through that little opening to reach the earth.” It is like the sun is saying, “You cannot hide me altogether – I am here, and I am still shining.” I couldn’t help but think what a beautiful picture that painted. Being me, I couldn’t help but see it as symbolic of a greater truth.
Sometimes the light of goodness and righteousness seems to be barricaded behind the dark clouds of evil and unrighteousness that can hang heavily on the horizon of humanity and the lives lived on this earth. Sometimes it seems as though there is no light, there is no hope; there is only despair and loss, anger and destitution, fear and destruction.
Yet then, through the darkness of the clouds that hover over our existence, a small ray of sunshine will peak its way through. We will see, for a moment, that there is beauty still left. We will be convinced that beyond the clouds of sadness and despair there is a beautiful light that shines. We will have hope in the midst of hopelessness and joy in the midst of sadness. A ray of sunshine will touch our hearts, and we will glory in the warmth of the Light.
As I thought on these things, it suddenly struck me that we are God’s sunbeams meant to brighten the lives of those around us, and to show them that there is hope, love, peace and joy. Jesus said so, “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We must shine through every little opening we get in this world that is shrouded in the dark clouds of despair. We must declare to a dying world that there is hope, there is light, there is the Source of light that cannot be destroyed or taken away, no matter how dark times may seem. God can shine on those who are desperate for light, those who are in need of the warmth of His love, but only when we, His children, act as His rays of sunlight.
In the darkest and most forlorn moments, when it seems there is no light, we need to shine forth the message of the Everlasting Sun that shines through His Everlasting Son. When tears fill the eyes of the mourning and the forlorn, we alone can help them see that there is One who cares. We alone can shine the light of the Father into their hearts.
To be God’s sunbeams, we must be filled with His light. We must love Him, listen to Him and follow His ways. We cannot originate light ourselves, but we can and must reflect His light in our lives. Armed with His Word, we are the only source of His hope that the world truly has.
This morning, again, on our way to work, there were beams of sun shining through the clouds looking as if they were attempting to gently stroke the earth with their warmth. I prayed a silent prayer that I could be like one of those rays and warm the wounded hearts and the cold hearts with the love of Almighty God. Maybe that is actually what I am here to do – how about you?
