Volume 28, No. 45                          
November 30, 2003                   

Light, and Momentary Troubles

   Moths aren’t really attracted to Light, but Christians are.

   In their fascinating book, How Do Ants Know When You’re Having A Picnic, authors Joanne Settel and Nancy Baggett explain that moths don’t really fly into flames and light bulbs on purpose, despite what most people think.  “Somehow the brightness confuses the creature’s sense of direction and it can’t fly straight anymore,” they write.    Scientists still don’t completely understand why.

   “They do know that... the moth uses light rays from the moon or sun as a guide when it flies.  The moth keeps itself moving in a straight line by constantly checking its position against the angle of the light rays striking its eyes.

   “Although this complicated guidance system works fine when the light source is far away, it goes haywire when the light is close by.  Stimulated by a bulb or candle, the moth’s nervous system directs its body to fly so that both eyes receive the same amount of light.  This locks the helpless creature onto a course toward the light and eventually causes it to blunder right into the bulb or flame.”

   Most of us start our journey toward Jesus in much the same way as the unsuspecting moth.  We set a path for ourselves, using a standard against which we chart our course and measure our progress.  In most cases, that standard is our culture’s idea of the good life:  a life of calm, comfort and convenience.  We don’t necessary want to be on the top of the heap.  We just want to be comfortable.  Trouble is, our definition of comfortable keeps changing and we  find ourselves in near-constant competition with everyone else, driven by envy and in security to get all the right stuff.  We’d rather fit in than stick out.

   As long as the Light is at a distance, we stay on track.  Most of us don’t know any better, so we centre our identity, desires and destination on the shallow, ever-shifting chimera of what passes for success. Some of us do pretty well, too.  Even though the emptiness never quite goes away, it’s fairly easy to ignore, at least when things are going well.

   Most of us would’ve stayed on course had it not been for the passionate, intensely personal pursuit of our heart by a loving God who refused to give up on us.  Drawn by his Spirit , often out of need or gratitude, we began to see things in a whole new Light. Slowly but inevitably, it changed our lives and we began to see that “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” (Ps. 19:8).  And to the heart.

   But here’s the crux.  Once you see the Light and allow it to draw you closer, there’s no turning back.  Your old ways of navigating the world will no longer work and, if you’re serious about living for Jesus, your faith will put you on a collision course with the Source.  Ultimately, you must choose to find in Christ a new identity.  “You are the light of the world...”  (Matt. 5:14).  You must find in him new desires.  “For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord [and] the fruit of the light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth.” (Eph. 5:8,9).  And you must embrace a new destination, intent on joining those in the sacred City.  “The city doesn’t need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev. 23:23)

   Fly into the Flame, without fear or hesitation.  Lose yourself in the Light, knowing true life is found in the incineration of your self and your sin.  Let God set you on fire for Him so you, in turn, can lead others still in the darkness. Then, resplendent in the glow of God’s glory, you’ll find new strength for each day.  “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what’s unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what’s unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17,18).  You’re already having a near-death experience.  Head toward the Light.

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe, contact sgamble@bfree.on.ca