Good morning…
“Hi, Sue!” she wrote after yesterday’s illuminating blog, Dawning This Day. “After reading your post today I wanted to share this email with you that I received yesterday from a friend and local author of several inspirational books (we live in St. Pete, FL). The article reminded me of what you conveyed in your message. I appreciate you!”
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We All Shine On by Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones
Last night after watching the nine-o’clock news (not recommended) I took McDoodle, my dog, out for a late evening stroll. I couldn’t help but stop and stare at the full moon; it was exquisite. “Wow, that is stunningly bright – I don’t even need a flashlight.” Knowing that the moon has no light of its own, other than what it reflects off the sun, I thought, “I am literally standing in the sun light right now.” What a perfect metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things – even if it isn’t visible to the human eye.
After gazing at the moon for several more moments, I realized humans (and probably animals) have done the same thing for countless millennia – staring at the same mystical light in awe and wonder. In a heartbeat I forgot about the pandemic and the nine o’clock news and instantly felt kinship with humankind, animals, the planet, and a universe expanding at the speed of light spanning eternity.
THE TAKEAWAY: In uncertain and challenging times it can be a wise practice to pause and seek to align with something larger than the news of the day to aspire to. The key is to remember we are all part of something far greater than ourselves which extends far beyond our capacity to understand; something that affirms we are one with the sacred continuum of life – even if we can’t always see it. With all that is going on in our world today, which seems to contradict our oneness, that is something worth remembering. We all shine on, indeed.
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“I love this so completely,” I emailed back this Floridian my eyes have never seen. “May I share these words in tomorrow’s blog post?”
Reaching out to her author-friend, she emailed him directly: “I didn’t think you would mind that I shared your article with the author of a daily Christian blog I receive, Sue Allen, as her message today coincides with the encouraging words you shared yesterday. Please see her email asking if she may share your words with her email community. I do not want to say ‘yes’ without first getting your permission. Thank you.”
“Absolutely,” he quickly replied from dr.d@dennismerrittjones.com. “Tell her I am honored by her request. By the way, she can mention that this piece is an excerpt from my book, Encouraging Words: Proof That Who You Are Matters.”
I step back and marvel at the encouraging words shining through bonded strangers whose eyes have never met. Might our sightless interaction be another perfect metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things? The God of the universe shines boldly in the darkness of our not seeing, not knowing, not understanding life’s complexities. We are all part of something far greater than ourselves which extends way beyond our capacity to ever fully comprehend.
Believing without seeing, might we all embrace our intimate interconnectivity, trusting that we are constantly at one with God, each other and all of creation? Much like the moon, none of us possess any light of our own, other than the light we reflect off the mysterious Maker of all living things.
Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched (John 1:1-5, VOICE).
Our pathway through the darkness of this world is quietly illuminated as the light of God’s voice fills our lungs and guides us all. Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear (Psalm 119:105, TPT).
Together, may we walk in the light of our living LORD.
…Sue…
