Greetings to the light emitters of God’s People!
We have just marked the beginning of summer and the “longest day of the year.” Of course, the day is no longer or shorter than any other day. But on June 21, our town had about 15 and a half hours of sunlight.
Summer is a season known for cultivating and bearing good fruit. There is just nothing like a sweet, sun-ripened summer strawberry. Could we say, it is like a taste of heaven? Summer is known to be ‘harvest time’. Farmers are busy, reaping and bringing in the fruits of their labours.
With longer days and warmer weather, we tend to spend more time outdoors. There are weekends at the lake, dinners on the grill, bonfires, sticky smores, and much more. Summertime is a time for bearing fruit and embracing the abundant life that surrounds us. Yes, the days are now getting shorter, fall and winter will come, but don’t let thoughts of the unknown rob you of the joys of the moment. Seize the joy of the season.
At East Zorra, this summer, there seems to be a number of transitions or seasons that are looming. These seasons must happen as surely as the earth rotates around the sun. Each season brings a different set of joys to embrace. Though daylight is waning, the sun is still shining, all the time. Jesus is the light of the world. Though we may not see Him, He is still there, a constant in a changing world. His love never ceases, through all the seasons of life.
You may believe that there’s a lot of darkness in the world even during our daylight hours: violence, conflict, prejudice, apathy, loneliness, sadness, and so on. Jesus is the light of the world and calls us lights as well. How can we shine as lights, reflecting this light of Jesus, on those who suffer in darkness?
And despite the darkness, we see in the world, despite the darkness in us, or even the fact that from today on, our days will darken more and more with the coming of winter—we can still live in the light of hope that one day, there will be no more darkness.
At the end of time, the world will have no darkness at all—God’s light will shine forever among us and there will be no more night, no more curse, no more tears, death, or suffering. The “longest day of the year” can’t hold a candle to this light that will last forever.
So, enjoy today’s sunlight. Step out, take advantage of these daylight hours, and also, put your trust in the light of Christ: overcome darkness where you see it, and live in hope for the endless light of eternity.
It’s time to rise and shine!
Pastor Lloyd