So, I was sitting at my desk for quite a while thinking, what could I write about for my first time featuring on the Evangelical Alliance’s weekly reflection, Thursday Night Theology? After many minutes deliberating, I thought to myself: let me go back to my typical British roots and talk about the weather.
On Friday it was recorded that July was the world’s warmest month ever, with temperatures hitting new highs around the globe, including in the Arctic. While we all know the increasing concern about rising temperatures, and whether you’re a fan of the heat or not, it’s fair to say that sunshine brings people together. Family BBQs, days out in the park, travelling to the seaside, or bringing out the paddling pool, are just some of the activities that many of us do only on warm, sunny days.
I’ve observed that the weather can determine our mood: if it’s dark, raining and gloomy outside, people’s temperaments tend to reflect this. You are greeted with more frowns than smiles. Someone may step on your shoe and fail to apologise. All these little things can irk you and have a negative impact on your day and mood, making it easy for negativity to spread without us even realising.
Compare this with the smiles of people taking selfies as they enjoy the summer sun, or complete strangers striking up a conversation, whether to bemoan or praise the glorious works of the sunshine. Even when it comes to food, anything with the word ‘light’ after it is usually better for you.
The scriptures talk extensively about light – perhaps not focusing specifically on sunshine – but the light of God. Genesis 1:1 – 4 reads: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”
In the midst of darkness, God released His light. And today, He enables us to do the same. As Christians it is important to be the ‘light’ in a world that can appear to be slowly taken over by ‘darkness’. Being the ‘light’ might seem a reality that’s too difficult to live out let alone comprehend, like walking into a pitch-black room, where there is no direction, no way of seeing what obstacles we are about to bump into. But we Christians have Jesus as our lamp; He guides our footsteps in times of darkness.
As recorded in John 8:12, Jesus told the people in the temple that, “I am the light of the world, whoever walks with me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Let’s all become more like Jesus and, as He is the light of the world, His light will shine through us. For people who do not know Jesus, and even those who are simply stymied by the gloomy weather, it is up to us to become their lamp and help guide them towards Jesus when times seem dark.
As we begin to come out of this mini heatwave and move into autumn, let’s make sure that our light does not dim. Smile at someone for no reason; think and speak positivity over yourself and others; be a good listener; offer help to someone who you think is in need. Let’s continue to shine for all to see, whatever the weather.
