As We Fix Our Eyes on God, We Will Be in His Light
How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings. — Psalms 36:7
Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." — John 8:12
Author
Fanny Rodríguez
Summary: God remains steadfast, like the sun in its place. When we place Him at the center of our lives and keep our eyes fixed on Him, we walk in His light, even when storms prevent us from perceiving it. Turning our backs on Him, by contrast, leads us into darkness. Many wrong decisions arise from acting without consulting Him, but His mercy and grace receive and deliver us when we cry out. Therefore, we should seek His guidance even in small matters, paying attention both to the confirmation and to the uneasiness of the Holy Spirit. We can trust that God does not change: He loves us, cleanses us, and remains attentive to our needs.
For many years I have taught in Social Studies classes about the planets, their orbits, and their relationship with the Sun. The students usually act these concepts out in order to understand them. This year, the Holy Spirit stirred me as I asked one student (the Sun) to remain in one place while another student (the Earth) moved around him to illustrate the planet’s revolution. Then the student who was revolving around the sun had to make another movement around his own axis to demonstrate the earth’s rotation.
As I explained to them that the earth’s rotation is what makes day and night possible, the Spirit reminded me of God’s position. When we allow Him, He is at the center of our lives, and if we keep our eyes fixed on Him, we will be in His light; it will be day. Even if we cannot see Him because the storm clouds darken the view, we will be in His light. In the same way, on cloudy days we do not see the sun, but it is there in its place, and it is daytime. Now, if we take our eyes off Him or turn our backs on Him, total darkness will definitely come into our lives.
There have been many occasions when I have made wrong decisions and then, finding myself in trouble because of that bad decision, I have cried out to God to give me a way out. Thank God, He is merciful (“How precious, O God, is Your mercy! Therefore the children of men take refuge under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7), His grace is infinite, and He delivers me from those situations. Therefore, I have learned my lesson and consult God even in small matters. The wonderful thing is feeling the confirmation of the Holy Spirit or, at times, the uneasiness of the Holy Spirit urging me to change course.
Lord, I thank You for teaching me that You do not change, that even in my weaknesses and sins, Your arms are ready to receive me, cleanse me, and, above all, love me. Allow me to continue learning to walk with You each day and to recognize that even in times of difficulty, You remain in the same place, attentive to my needs and ready to deliver me.