“Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth…” Genesis 1:16-17

The Whole Picture

My friend has learned to fix her broken things herself. She rarely has to take her belongings to repair shops. I yearn for such an ability—but I doubt I am willing to learn the hard way, as she has had to.

One dark night after work, her car’s engine began to run roughly. She canceled her evening plans and went straight home, where she retrieved a flashlight and began to look for the problem under the hood. Finally, she had to give up until daylight. She just couldn’t see well enough to find the problem.

Flashlights don’t give the whole picture. They leave shadows, things covered that must be considered. They grow dim with time. It’s hard to know exactly where to focus the beam. In my friend’s experience, the small light could not solve her problem. Of course, she knew this, and delayed any further search until morning.

We need the light of day to see things as they are. The sun comes up, and its brightness reveals what was hidden. Problems become clear; solutions are found.

God shines the very “light of day” on our lives. “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring (literally, “Dawn”) from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).

Jesus does spiritually what the light does physically. He sheds light on what was dark. When we have problems and don’t know what to do, turn to that Light, and not some dim, unworthy substitute. He leaves no shadow. He knows exactly what is wrong (and He knows how to fix it). Let Him reveal solutions and answers. His light will never grow dim! “…Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” (Hebrews 1:3a).

“Lord, shine Your Light on the problems and hidden things of our lives. May we be drawn to You like moths to a porch light! Amen.”