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Light in Darkness
Without favoritism, God gives each person freewill to become a reflection of His light in darkness! Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right (Acts 10:34 NIV). What is this light in darkness? How do you reflect light in darkness?
Mirage – Refracted Light
Do you see the car in this picture? Is it an illusion or a mirage? A mirage is light refracted (a change in direction) in a different manner.” An article by Popular Science written by Julia Craven entitled “What is a Mirage? explains how a mirage is just a trick of air and light. A mirage occurs when two different optical illusions form from two different air densities refracting light in different ways (Bryce St. Clair, John Hopkins University).
Perhaps, you have seen a mirage reflected from a highway on a very hot, sunny day, under extreme heat conditions. A mirage is considered a true optical illusion, in that, it can be explained entirely by physical changes in the outside world—in this case, the properties of light (Peter Tse, Dartmouth College). Furthermore, Tse clarifies the difference between a mirage and illusion. “When you see a face in the clouds, that’s an illusion due to the way your brain works; but mirages are not due to your brain—they’re due to the physics of light.”
Spiritual Mirages – Reflection and Light
In the religious world, do you view mirages or illusions? Non-believers frame Christians as zealots. Non-believers often view world religious beliefs as mirages or illusions. Moreover, Christianity is considered as a world filled with fakeness and detachment from reality. Believers, on the other hand, acknowledge there are counterfeits within the religious world; and yes, they are often short-sighted and measure others – humans as judges and judgmental. Therefore, we could agree that spiritual mirages exist. Consequently, trying to reflect light in darkness becomes more difficult for the good of all. Herein lies the problem – you are trying to defend the indefensible. STOP! There is no defense for unbelief but belief. There is no defense for lies but Truth. Thus, the solution to darkness is light. Genesis 1:3-5 NLT, “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” No non-believer or believer have or will exist that can explain light or darkness as a mirage or illusion. It exists because of the Creator.
Response to Reflections and Light
Light in darkness is God-established, Genesis 1:14-18. How you live in this world is a response to His light. You choose light over darkness, good over evil. Living in the light means a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. It is not an illusion nor a mirage. The reflection of this light produces only what is good and right and true. Let your light shine in darkness (Ephesians 5:11-13).
Yes, you live in this world. Be aware that the brain is capable of creating spiritual mirages. I state this because a human is capable of looking at two different situations from two different perspectives and refract (change and react) upon them in different ways; to this end, a well-meaning, bible-confessing human is capable of creating an illusion of truth to fit his/her own individual thoughts.
Next, conceptually, be remindful that our brains function to recognize regular interactions that we daily encounter in our world. It is a magnificent organ created by God. For example, when I stand glazing out of my front window, I see the reflection of the furniture in my living room. I recognize and understand the difference between the outdoors and the reflection of my living room. Because of my regular encounter with furniture and outdoors, I recognize the concepts. It would be difficult for someone to convince me that my furniture is a mirage. However, it would not be difficult for to convince someone of an illusion of truth (a spiritual mirage) when their spiritual world consists of non-truths. Discerning false prophets is the work of the Holy Spirit so that you walk not in illusion but in Truth, 1 John 4:1.
True Light – Reflection
You cannot be a reflection of true light if you hate your brother, 1 John 2: 9-11. Light is not partner to darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). True light reflection is that which is spoken of in Galatians 5:22. When you walk in true light, you have already won the victory, 1 John 4:4. Your faith, as a child of God, defeats evil. Only those who believe will win, 1 John 4:5.
Finally, when your star dims out in this world (on earth), and you must leave this temporary place for your heavenly home, you will leave is a legacy of brightness in the memories and hearts of others you served.
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden -Matthew 5:14 NLT. Choose true light for a reflection in darkness. For more like this, we invite you to read this link: The Battle is Not Yours. Additionally, we provide other insights from these posts for the mind, body and soul: