The Light

            

See those curious little white flowers, awkwardly straining upward? They've stretched and soared unusually far above their leafy starts below. Know what they're doing?

They're straining toward the light.

This vine is planted in the ground below the bush it is crawling on, and the bush is growing beneath the shadow of the tree overhead. Those little flowers are growing beneath a shadow.

In sunny, grassy circumstances, the flowers would burst out near their leaves. But in the circumstance of SHADOW, they must stretch and strain toward that light.

The little starts in my window sill are leaning toward the glass, almost laying their little stalks flat in desperation to reach the light on the other side.

The young Asian Pear tree in our back yard is full-tilt sideways toward the sunniest part of it's day, making every effort to soak up all the light needed for growth and fruit.

Guys, IN THIS SEASON OF SHADOW, WE MUST STRAIN TOWARD THE LIGHT.

We cannot afford to press outward a little leaf or petal and expect to soak in the Light source needed for life, for growth; and goodness, for fruit.

May we be bent, full-tilt, straining, stretching, laying down our all to soak in The Light.

For He says,
   "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on it's stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)