During the month of January this year, the Daily Bread meditation messages were encouraging us to consider the importance of light in our lives. The messages were challenging us to give thought to how we experience light, physically and spiritually, how we sense it through the Holy Spirit, how we might radiate light into the lives of others, and how Jesus is the Light of the world and what that means to each of us as we think on His teachings and ministry.
Giving thought to light, I think boils down to a personal task of recognizing and appreciating light whenever and wherever we are confronted with it. It could be from the sun, the moon, a candle, a colorful fireworks display or even just in appreciating the light we have in our homes. And then there is the other side of this topic, which is us walking in the light in a physical and spiritual sense.
I vividly remember as a youth in the Leichhardt congregation rousingly singing the hymn, “What a Glorious Thing to Be in the Light”. The words of this hymn encourage us to keep our spirits pure and walk in the light of God.
Reflecting on this challenge, my thoughts were directed to the fact that on our life’s journey we do encounter unexpected surprises. My attention was suddenly directed to the phrase in the hymn we sing, the lyrics written by William Cowper “Sometimes a Light Surprises, all Christians when they ….” and my reflections were directed to the many times when God’s Spirit has surprised me with insight and an overpowering feeling of wonder, enrichment and blessing.
I recall an occasion when I was asked at a moment’s notice to give the prayer of administration to someone whom I wasn’t aware was particularly in need of this blessing. However, I sensed my prayer thoughts being directed by the Holy Spirit to particular needs in that person’s life. When I sat down following the prayer, I continued to feel totally consumed by the Spirit – should I have been surprised by this encounter with my God and the light He gave me? I think not!
My reflections then led me to the scripture in D&C 10:6, which reads: “Put thy trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good; yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.”
This surely is the answer to receiving these surprises – by trusting in the power of the living God at work in each of us, we should expect surprises of God’s Light enfolding us! So why shouldn’t I expect these surprise encounters with the Spirit all the time? It would seem that we become so caught up in the daily activities of life that take over our thoughts and the opportunities to have quiet moments. But should we expect these encounters with the Spirit to be only in our quiet moments? I would say not! We can receive unexpected surprises when we are meeting and conversing with people or when we are providing assistance or giving ministry to them.
The Scriptures are full of examples of people who were surprised by the sudden presence of God in their lives. There was Moses tending his father-in-law’s flock of sheep when he was suddenly confronted with the manifestation of God in the burning bush. There was the woman whom Jesus met at Jacob’s well and was asked to draw water for a drink. She did not expect to have her life changed when Jesus told her about the ‘living water’ he could give her.
Remember the two disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus discussing the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and a stranger joined them. They did not recognize who it was until Jesus broke bread and blessed it at mealtime. In surprise, their eyes were opened and they remarked, “Did not our heart burn within us ….?” What a wonderful surprise experience they had with the Divine!
Our loving Father wants our hearts to burn within us just as it did with those disciples of old. He wants us to be on the alert to recognize and catch those instant surprises given to us through His Holy Spirit. And when we identify His presence and feel His touch igniting a flame in our hearts, I am sure He would want us to acknowledge and give thanks for His love shown so liberally to all.
Bill Gillard