Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12

Thursday was one of those spectacular fall days where everywhere I turned, from dawn walking beside the Tar River all the way to dusk driving back from Wake Forest, spoke volumes in terms of beauty and color. With such extravagant splashes of exuberant imagination it is easy to envision God’s joy in the ongoing process of creation.

The leaves – red, amber and gold – on the trees behind the church; the rich colors of the Japanese Maple trees in our Wake Forest garden; the last light flooding Saint James Street and our church just before the carillon rings out at 5:00.

Even inside the house on Elwood Court, where I spent a couple of hours painting, the light was warm and clear and inviting.

Jesus, in one of his seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel, refers to himself as the light of the world. Because of Jesus we do not ever have to walk in darkness; because of Jesus we have the light that leads to life.

None of this color would exist without light.

Of course the really remarkable thing is that we get to carry this kind of light with us. “YOU are the light of the world,” Jesus tells us if only we listen. “Let that light shine so other people can see the way too.”

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

It is a remarkable responsibility… privilege… opportunity we have been given. Shedders of light! Hmmm, I like that phrase. Let’s be so saturated with life-giving love and grace and goodness and promise that the light literally spills out – sheds – all over everyone and everything we are involved with.

Light, love, mercy, grace, promise, goodness and more – DEREK