The Daily Grace - Filtered Light

The painting A Trail of Light by Colorado Springs artist Bob Simpich shows a grove of aspen trees with golden leaves lit by the autumn sun. The topmost leaves are brilliantly illuminated while the ground beneath the trees is a mixture of sunlight and shadows. The painter said of this contrast, "I can't resist the light filtered through to the forest floor. It weaves a special magic".

The apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Paul goes on to describe the reality of life in which "we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; . . . perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (vv. 8-9).

There are times when it seems that the light of God's face is dimmed because of our dificulty, sorrow or loss. Yet, even in these dark shadows, we can see evidence of His presence with us. If we walk in filtered light today, may we discover anew that God's light - Jesus - is always shining in our hearts. In dark circumstances, God's light is still shining in our hearts.