The Light of Christ

Water stands in our back yard as I sit down to write my pastor's notes.  The snow, wind, near-zero temperatures, and now rain have all contributed to the muddy mess in what is usually a firm, green, walkable yard. It is certainly not the prettiest of pictures.  I heard this week that January 6th is the most depressing day of the year...the holiday season is now in the rear view mirror, the bills from that season's extravagance are coming due, and of course, the weather tends to be gray and cold.  I'm not sure of the science in declaring January 6th the most depressing day of the year, but science does tell us that a number of folks do suffer from seasonal affective disorder, particularly in these dark winter days.  WebMD, an online medical site, offers this assessment;  "Winter depression is still a mystery to scientists who study it. But researchers agree that people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are particularly sensitive to light, or the lack of it."  Looking out my back window this afternoon, the dark, muddy, cold mess indeed does not engender happy thoughts, but there must be a broader perspective.

 

Using a gift card I received for Christmas, I took my golf clubs yesterday to be re-gripped in hopes that I would again, on some warm spring day, be able to play the game I love.  In the midst of the wind and sub-zero temperatures on Tuesday, we noticed the grill cover had been blown off so we stepped into the cold to secure the protection for something we hope to use again in warmer weather.  Clayton left on Wednesday to return to Lexington and his studies at the University of Kentucky.  His departure left a void, but also the promise of future reunion, most likely in a much warmer climate.  Depression is no laughing matter and I do not mean to oversimplify its causes or treatments.  If the WebMD assessment is true, however, and light does have an impact on the darkness of our seasonal discouragements, perhaps then you and I as followers of Jesus Christ have much to be thankful and hopeful for.

 

Speaking to his disciples in John 8:12, Jesus says,  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  That is good news in the rain, sleet, snow, wind, cold, and mud of winter.  Our focus goes beyond the temporary to embrace the eternal.  Now that doesn't make the darkness is less dark, the winter wind less biting, but it does give strength in the ever changing physical, emotional, and spiritual elements of life to know that the light of the world, Jesus, the Christ is always with us.  And more than that, this light, this Christ, calls us to reflect his light in the darkness around us.  In Matthew 5:14, he says, "... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  Perhaps we shake off a bit of the doldrums we experience by intentionally sharing the light of Christ with others.  As I look out the window once again and shiver at the thought of having to walk Max and Freddie in a few minutes, that is good news indeed!

 

I look forward to seeing you Sunday for Bible Study and worship as we walk together in the light of Christ.

 

Jim Abernathy