Walking in the Light

Last Wednesday the temperature in our Deep South town dipped into the teens.  Frozen ice (which I always thought was called sleet, but now I know is different) fell for several hours and after that came the second snowfall we have had since December.  To tell you how unusual this is, there hasn't been a significant snowfall with accumulation in our town since 1997.  Our usual January high is in the mid 60's and our lows in the high 40's.  Ice and snow are definitely out of the norm for us.

For me and Glen, what is the norm for us is walking.  We weren't about to let a little snow, a lot of ice and temperatures in the low 20's deter us from our regular walk.  Decked out with four pairs of exercise pants, three shirts, a lightweight jacket, a down jacket rated to 0 degrees, a fleece hat, a neck gaiter and two pairs of gloves (plus hand warmers in each pocket,)  I was ready.

We were both fairly comfortable until our paths turned to the north and the blistering north wind seemed to bite right through our clothes.  So we devised the plan to "follow the sun."  We picked our path along the sunniest streets and tried our best to stay out of the shade.

Along the sunny paths, the sunshine had already begun to melt the ice and snow, making for easy walking.  Along the shady paths, though, the deep oak cover kept the ice protected.  We had to concentrate with each step to avoid slipping and falling.  Once or twice we both inadvertently stepped on some ice and found ourselves skidding across until we could change our footing.

As we continued walking in the sunlight I thought of this verse:

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (I John 1:7.)

In fact, the Lord Jesus declared Himself to the be Light of the world in His earthly life:

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: 

 no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6.)

For us, when we stayed in the light of the sun, we were safe from the slipping and sliding of the ice.  When we found ourselves walking in the darkness of the shade, things became much more precarious.  This is true of our spiritual walk as well.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life for us to follow as much in our Christian lives and in our salvation.  The more we trust Him by faith as we live our lives, the more we will see and know His light.  The more we will "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

"For with Thee is the fountain of life:  in Thy light shall we see light."  

Psalm 36:9

"I am come a Light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness." 

John 12:46