Living in the Light

The exposure to sunlight plays a vital role to our health.

Seeing the sun in the morning helps brighten our mood. Vitamin D is received from the sun. It can help our sleep patterns, increase serotonin, and is good for bone and immune health. Haiti usually has plenty of sunshine. It is actually too hot for me most of the year. When I travel in the winter from New England, I often imagine basking in the sun. This winter, there were two ocean storms in Haiti one right after the other. The sun did not shine for several days. The ocean was rough and several boats capsized. Other boats took shelter behind a small island. I had to conserve energy from the solar power system that feeds my home and office. I am sure the sailors welcomed the sunshine after several days of wind, rain, and overcast skies. They embraced the light and warmth of the sunshine. God has truly created a beautiful and intricate codependent world. We need air to breathe, plus water and food to sustain us. Thanks to God for providing all that we need. We need to celebrate our lives here on earth. Every day is a gift from God!

God has called us out of darkness into His light. We know God is Spirit, holy, love, and light to name a few of His attributes. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) I believe all of God’s Word is true and that it is like a nautical chart which can lead us in the right path to follow. God is good!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once we were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”(1 Peter 2:9-10) God’s ways are higher than our ways. He has called us to be holy. We are faced with making right choices on a daily basis. We receive blessings from God in our lives when we live a righteous life. The righteous will be saved. The prayers of a righteous man avails much. Being obedient to God gives us freedom. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

The richness of our spiritual lives should be a witness and blessing to those around us. Sharing love will be a blessing to others, and will return more blessings to our lives. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) It is never only about our own lives. We should be leading others to walk in the light. God calls us out of sin and into salvation and service. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3) Let your light shine! ~Charlie DeTellis