Windows

Among the thousands of photographs that my daughter and I take, you will find many of windows. All kinds of windows. Plain windows. Decorative windows. Shuttered windows. Stained glass windows. Windows with window boxes full of flowers. Leaded glass windows. Many different shapes and sizes.

I don’t know why we are so fascinated with windows, except that they make artful pictures. And they represent an opening for light. Outside light can shine in. And inside light can shine out into the darkness at night time. That’s especially beautiful during the Christmas season.

When I was teaching music at a college, a new fine arts building was erected. We were very excited until we realized, as construction began, that there were no windows in our offices. Not even on the outside walls. Windows and light are important to sensitive artists. The art department upstairs had lots of large windows. We had wrongly assumed that we would have them, too. We were told it was too late to change the plans. So the music teachers lived with no glimpse of the outside for a few years, trying to make up for the loss by adorning the walls with beautiful pictures of nature. Not the same. So eventually the powers that be gave in to the distress cries and cut narrow slits in the walls. Well, it was better than nothing.

I can’t imagine living in total darkness, as some blind people do. Fortunately, many of them can at least see light in a bright sky. Light is important, especially natural light. It’s the first thing that God created. He lit up the world with Himself. There wasn’t even a sun or moon yet.

It reminds me of something that Jesus said to His followers: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Now how can that be when He is the light of the world? That’s what He claimed in John 8:12. “The light of Christ,” writes John Piper, “is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul.” We are in darkness without Him in our lives.

Here’s how I think we become light in the darkness. We are to be like windows that let the light of Christ within us shine out to those around us. Our windows need to be clean and clutter free. Transparent. Clear. No shades necessary. Just conduits for the Light.

What kind of window are you? Do you need to do a little house cleaning? Is Jesus, the Light of the World, shining clearly through you?