All that is good comes from Christ. He is the source of all light. And yet, there are degrees of light and of truth. What distinguishes the light of Christ from all others? How do we grow into the truth?
The world is getting darker
"I shine my light upon the men of this world. It goes out from my roots to the top of my crown. I wonder why it is not seen?"
So begins my conversation with a large fir tree one recent fall morning. I have once again come to Vander Veer Park to receive a story of Jesus.
I settle in with my laptop and blanket, and say a prayer, as I always do. This beautiful tree is willing to share what it knows about light and Jesus, and how we can distinguish the light of Christ from all other light. As we grow into the truth, we see and accept more and more light into our hearts.
Photo taken by the author
The tree continues.
"Have you noticed that the world is getting darker? Does this not make my light brighter and easier for others to see?"
"Well, perhaps that is why I am here," I reply. "Because I see your light. Or, more accurately, I hear you. When I look, then I can see your light."
As I close my eyes to look at the tree, I see beautiful white light from the roots. It comes together an intertwines as it climbs up the trunk and out the branches.
"Yes. Yes, it is so. I am excited for more men to see my light. Can you help them to see?"
"I am striving to do so. That is why I am here with you right now. I help them to see by sharing stories of trees like you who know of Jesus Christ. Men need to know of his light."
How to distinguish the light of Christ from all others
"Oh yes! That is the best light. It is so pure, so beautiful to behold. And sublime to perceive, to listen to."
"Let me tell you what distinguishes his light from all others."
"All light comes from him. He is the source. The farther you are from him, the less the light is present. As you follow it, the light and therefore the path becomes brighter and brighter. Eventually, it is so pure and so bright that you cannot go astray."
"When we first seek this light, it is diffused. Think of a light from a flashlight. Where is it the most concentrated? At its source. His light is the same."
Image courtesy of Nitecore Store
"All that is light and all that is good is of him, for he is the source. However, when you first learn of him, it seems that his light is very broad and encompasses so many things." (Like the 'spill' in the image above.)
"As you continue to follow the light (if you choose to keep moving toward it), the things that you seek become more and more distinguished. More narrow. It becomes more obvious what things are light and what things are dark." (Like the hotspot in the image above.)
More truth brings more and more light
"Things that once seemed to be light will now appear as dark. Stay fast in your understanding and seeking as this happens. It is simply the way to more and more truth. More purity. More clarity. More love. More light."
"All is good and all is of him. But those who seek the light will find more and more light. It will fill their souls with gladness and joy! And they will become a beacon to others."
"You, my child, are a beacon to others. Shine! Shine even more, oh, so much more than you are now shining. Let your light shine before men, that they may glorify their Father who is in heaven. You lead others to the true light as you shine. Many, many are seeking. Shine in all your glory!"
"You were made to shine. Once we find, we shine ourselves. It helps more to find the path, the narrow way. For as you have discovered, the way truly is narrow, becomes narrow. This is where the most purity resides."
"A light is most concentrated in one narrow beam. The light becomes more diffuse further from its center, from its source."
"Thank you for listening. It is a joy for me to share."
The joy of coming further unto the light that is Christ
I have seen this effect in my own life...starting from the more diffuse light and coming more fully into that narrow beam that is the central light.
There is so much in the world that is good and light and beautiful! More light comes as we seek after Jesus. That light gets brighter and brighter as the path becomes more narrow. It is especially bright when we make covenants with God and grow on the path of being a disciple of Christ.
I pray that you will seek for and find more and more of Christ's light in your life. I promise that it will bring progressively more joy to your days!
Main photo by Simon Migaj from Pexels
