What's
your favorite color? Is it more 450? Or do you tend towards 600? Maybe even
700?
In
case those numbers don't immediately mean anything to you, on the visible
spectrum scale for light 450 nanometers means "blue," 600 is yellow,
and at 700 nanometers you are seeing red.
But
we don't "see" numbers, do we? We see the beautiful, variable,
illuminating colors that light takes on as it is refracted and reflected before
our eyes. We don't experience nanometers. We bask under a blue sky? Or we bath
in wonder at the beauty of a sunset that melts from orange to red to crimson
and purple. Whether we catalogue light as 550 nanometers or perceive it as
"green" is all a matter of perspective. Are we dissecting the idea of
"light" into its most basic components (measured nanometers)? Or are
we responding to the expression of that light as we experience it in the world
(colors)?
In
Matthew's account of the "Sermon on the Mount," immediately after
Jesus lays out his "blessed be" Beatitudes, he lifts up two metaphors
of how disciples of the kingdom will be known to this world. They will be the
"salt of the earth," they will be the "light of the world,"
a light that will "shine before others." Salt sharpens flavors. Light
sharpens both sight and insight. Jesus is calling would-be followers of the
kingdom to sharpen lives by living on the sharp, the cutting edges, the places
where new perspectives, new tastes, and new visions are embraced.
Light does not just banish darkness and
illuminate corners and crevices. Light also works to provide a new perspective
and attitudes. It warms us and feels our hearts with the reminder of His love
for us.
The Bible tells us to, “Let our light
shine amongst men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
which is in Heaven”. (Matthew 5:16) Today let’s show forth His love, and
radiate from 450 to 700!
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