cairns

These three pictures were taken on a mountain top in China in 2009 under the slimmest  sliver of a moon showing in the first picture.  The second picture shows the way down with no flash turned on, and the last is the same view with a flash.  I know the camera stays open longer without a flash, but they still make a point to me, that I wanted to share.

It was dark up there!  But the middle picture shows that the easiest way down was using the available natural light.  With it we could see the entire area.  The last is the effect of a man made light — everything very close is completely lit and the rest of the world is invisible.  Many who have spent time away from cities know this trick of travel.

But, it takes me back to what I wrote last.  It sounds great to say the light is obvious when the situation is dark.  But life often just does not seem that way.  Dark times are dark or we would not call them that!  This is one of the places where “feel good” theology leaves people in touch with life’s realities  assuming we do not have a clue what we are talking about!  They know when it is dark no matter what we say!

But, I think there is a corollary that makes sense. When we cannot see past a few feet, perhaps we are using too much of our own light.  Better to stand still, remain open, and become aware of the Light that surrounds us.

peace

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