Transformed By The Light
By first light, on mornings at the farm, I peer out the east window of the spare bedroom, assessing the burgeoning color and light in the predawn sky. How will the clouds catch the light of the rising sun? Do corals, pinks, or purples seem most likely among the ever-present golds? Is there fog dancing along the tops of the prairie grasses? I snatch up my phone and glasses, an oversized hoodie, and shove my feet into the old chore boots Dad no longer needs. Tramping through the dewy grass, I take up my post in the east field--waiting for the light.
I begin snapping photos as the predawn glow rises over the rustling grass, listening to the chirping of a cricket and the wind in the trees. As the first rays of the sun fling light along the tops of very ordinary trees and prairie grasses, they ignite with a golden glow. They are transformed by the light.
A common farm field behind a very ordinary barn is transformed into ethereal beauty in the light of the rising sun. Dew drops among the foxtails become glistening crystal orbs. A pea soup fog becomes a shimmering gossamer curtain, plain trees become awash with gold, spraying rays of light through their rustling leaves. The glory of the rising sun is changing the darkness into radiant light.
This same transformation takes place within each of us when we allow ourselves to be changed by the light of truth. Scripture says it this way:
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-8
Scripture also urges me to continually renew my mind with the truth of Scripture:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
When I live in the light of truth, it begins to change me. I no longer fight against it; I embrace it as a friend. I agree with it, rather than argue back or kick against it. I agree with what the Scripture reveals about me, and my reasons for self-centeredness seem flimsy. I am humbled and grateful for the lavish grace of God. I agree that following Him and His ways is my only chance at a transformed life, so I step into the light, and in the light of His word, my transformation begins.
I see the ugliness of my selfishness. I see the havoc it wreaks in my world and in my relationships as I stand among the carnage it has left in its wake. The brightness and purity of the truth expose me; I can no longer hide under the cover of darkness. While I recoil from that white-hot exposure, it is the first step toward healing—and so, I step into the light.
As I follow this path, the light of truth sears through my selfishness, and in its place emerges a selflessness and willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of others. Pride goes up in flames beneath His burning gaze, and a gentle humility arises from its ashes. I exchange my weakness for His strength. I trade my fear to live a counter-cultural life for the courage He gives to stand fearlessly for truth in a world of lies.
Step by trusting step of obedience, we step more fully and deeply into His transforming light. This light is so transforming that men and women chained in the darkness of lies, besetting sins, or addiction can walk step by step into His light and find hope and freedom. We stand amazed, watching chains of lies fall away as our brother becomes a formidable and glorious truth warrior, or our sister, once paralyzed by fear, stands tall as a masterpiece of sterling strength and glowing compassion—a transformation made possible as darkness gave way to light. What was once shrouded in darkness has now become a glistening monument to His transforming light.
Like common prairie grass is made golden in the morning sunlight, like everyday trees, and an ordinary farm field is transformed by the light, the same is true of us when we walk in the transforming light of truth--the ordinary is made ethereal in the glow of the Risen Son.