The Light that Shines Into The Darkness

“There are two ways of spreading light:

to be the candle,

or the mirror that reflects it.”

-Edith Wharton-

Preface

Leaving work Thursday afternoon of this week, I was perplexed and very disappointed at the manner in which a colleague of mine, misperceived my goodwill communication and proactive, behind the scene actions during a very challenging early morning.

Between the reality of the lack of personal and the tardiness of staff during a fast-paced critical time of the morning’s work schedule, only served as the instigating elements that heighten the intensity of the moment thus creating the appropriated environment for the breakdown in communication between us.

Looking For a Sign

As I opened the exit door leading to the employee’s parking lot, with my head down, in a very reflective and introspective mood, I was greeted by the brightness and heat of the sun, for it was the beginning of the month of August.

I was approaching my way to my automobile, and noticed to my right, this large, elegant, multi-colored moth basking in the rays of the sun. It remained motionless as if it was asleep, as I zoomed in to capture a photo image. [purple, brownish, and yellow, side note: the golden coloration of the wings of this Imperial moth is indicative of our need for preservation during times of great testing and trials! The Purple color is a needful reminder that the People of God are Royal and Priestly people of God!] 1 Peter 2:9.

Thinking to myself, while taking into consideration of the heat of the day, the brightness of the hour and the location of were this moth was seen, I could not help but think perhaps this moth was lost! It looked displaced and out of its natural habitat.

Arriving in my automobile, I reviewed my phone’s two images of the moth, and instantly, I knew that this moth would serve as my inspiration for this week’s blog post.

While I begin writing this blog post on today, I am reminded of both believers and non-believers alike, cohabiting together in this current age are often-times not sure if we are traveling along “life’s pathway” the very best way, and or purpose, or not!

We too, like this Imperial moth that is shown above, appear at times to be lost, and not thriving as best as we should or we too are asleep. We are not exactly where we need to be, thus we are in need of a sign or some kind of assurance that we are where God would want for us to be.

The very first important point that goes without much elaboration on my part, is those mature followers of The Master is not to look or overly depend upon outward signs in an effort to know if they are traveling in the correct direction.

Discovering God’s specific plans and or direction for our lives is a natural, yet spiritual result of a vibrant relationship with Him, not its substitute. Otherwise, our faith becomes a superstitious and shallow practice. We need first an intimate relationship with God and over time, mature in our faithful spiritual disciplines and our personal relationship with Him.

Upon arrival safely home, I immediately begin researching basic information about moths and any possible spiritual significance that I may learn and then share with others. Below are some of my findings:

Symbolic Meaning and Characteristics of the Moth

Moths symbolize determination, attraction, spirituality, and faith according to several sources. Although moths are nocturnal, they are given toward light for unknown reasons. This begs to question, why was this abovementioned Imperial Moth so visibly seen during the heat of the day if it is nocturnal?

Some entomologists [ a person who studies or is an expert in the branch of zoology concerned with insects] believe moths zoom toward unnatural light sources because the lights throw off their internal navigation systems. … In a behavior called transverse orientation, some insects navigate by flying at a constant angle relative to a distant light source, such as the moon.

Moths usually pollinate night-blooming because of the nocturnal tendency, while resting during the day. The imperial moth probably has a variety of predators during its life cycle including birds, mammals, and insects.

The Imperial moth uses its various color as a mean of protection from its enemies. Adults remain motionless much of the time and mimic the dead yellow leaves that are common in forests about the time the moths are emerging.

Being Drawn to The Light

There are many powerful motifs that I could expound and drive this study of the Imperial moth and the relative corresponding nature to our humanity and our spirituality, yet none is greater than what John 8:12 communicates, Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said,

“I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness”…

Innately, due to the inescapability of our inherited nature of sin at birth,[unlike the Imperial moth] no human-being is naturally drawn to the True Light which is God! Without divine intervention, each human-being will make a multitude of false steps throughout their lives.

Very interesting is the very subtle reality that unknowingly, each living-soul who does not follow the Messiah, whether they know it or not, are walking and existing in Darkness. Why? “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”

Each of us who responds to the spiritual beckoning and calling of the Holy Spirit, thus seeking to follow the true Light, will require much grace, and prayer from above to not precede it; to follow patiently and trustfully throughout our service to God, step by step, wherever it may lead- willing to not walk in any darkness.

His Light is the very essence of Absolute truth which will forever point the way to follow. To perceive this very truth attends its practice by the follower as a constant activity in that every spiritual need will be attended to by God on behalf of the believer.

His Light is Life

No other spiritual truth nor religious disciplines would dare to make similar or greater claims about the origin of absolute truth, life/death, and eternal spirituality than what is written in the Holy Bible.

Only due to Christ, procurement of true life is given to those who are redeemed by His Holy Spirit. What is given is the implantation of spiritual sanctification which empowers redeemed living-souls while justifying each as His own.

Only in Christ is there eternal life that is given as a gift to those who are faithful followers of His Way. For God has so very much so, rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

Because of Christ, we now are spiritually alive to various aspects of the Kingdom of God as opposed to the kingdom of darkness. The Messiah came as Immanuel [God With Us] as the Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

Closing Thoughts

Just as I expressed concern about the Imperial moth that I saw, [according to my perception], it appeared to be lost, and or displaced by not being in its natural habitat, the same spiritual reality is true for millions of human beings.

This condition does not have to remain as such!

Spiritual darkness refers to all that is in opposition to the light of God’s love in Christ.

The good news that The Messiah brings to this world is that His light—His life-giving Spirit—floods light and life into the spiritual darkness of the sinner’s heart.

The One who opened the eyes of the blind can also bring us out of spiritual darkness. No matter how deep the darkness, the light of God’s love and truth overcomes every sin that separates us from God. Amen!