As Spring draws ever close there are signs of growth around us as plants reach for the light. This week Sarah our Ordinand encourages you to lean towards the light of Jesus as plants lean towards the Sun.
A while ago my eldest daughter was given a seed kit to grow some chives, basil and parsley. She recently decided to have a go at putting this together and seeing what would grow. I wondered if we were perhaps a bit early in the growing season to do this but we assembled the kit complete with a small wooden tray and some soil, sowed the seeds, watered it and put it on a window sill in hope. I couldn’t help thinking it looked rather shallow and insubstantial; I wasn’t sure this was going to be a success.
After a week or two there were little green shoots poking up. Hurrah! So we kept watering, and waiting. About a fortnight later I was amazed to see that some of the seeds had really grown. But what was most striking was how much they were leaning towards the window – towards the light. These tiny little plants, sown a bit too early in too little soil had found what they needed to survive, and they were reaching for it – the light that gives them life.
This reminded me of a verse in John chapter 8 verse 12: ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’
As I looked at these little seeds, I was reminded how much we need to lean into the light of Jesus; we need to search for His light in our lives and soak in it. There is much in our daily news that feels dark at the present time; news of conflict, hardship and disease. But the light of Jesus, His truth, His hope and His invitation to you to know Him better is always present. We can receive His light in many ways which could include turning towards Him through simple prayer and asking Him to be part of our lives in the big and small issues of the day, reading the Bible and hearing His truth, through being with other Christians who can encourage us with their stories of His work in their lives or joining in a hymn or worship song which declares His goodness and love.
Jesus says if we follow Him we will never walk in darkness. His light promises us hope and an assurance of His presence with us, of peace, forgiveness and salvation.
Like my daughter’s little seed kit you may think your faith is too shallow to grow – but that’s not what Jesus says. He invites us to start from where we are and He will meet us in our weakness, drawing us to Him as the light draws fragile seedlings.
May you know Jesus as your sustaining light this week.
With blessings
Sarah