PROGRESSION

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. II Peter 1:9

I have the same routine every morning. I grab my robe and slippers, and Edward and Frances and I head downstairs to the back yard where the puppies will take care of business and check to see who may have visited through the night. I flip on the switch that activates the fountain so the fish get a little exercise, and the water is aerated.
We come back upstairs; I grab a cup of tea; and then we go into my tiny library where I pull back the draperies on two sets of windows. I open the French doors (even in the cold) so the puppies can observe the neighborhood waking up and say hello to their friends next door. But the French doors have a deeper significance for me.
Initially, the outlook is completely black; darkness veils everything. I begin my devotional reading in my cozy armchair, and as time progresses the stark outline of bare branches can be seen through the open doors. I continue reading, and eventually the grayness brings a bit more clarity to the scene. Then comes a soft golden light that touches the surrounding rooftops and reveals the squirrels who are busily collecting nuts and scurrying from limb to limb. Finally, by the time my prayers are done, I open my eyes to see the whole panorama clear and bright from the blaze of the fully awakened sun.
Is this not something like our spiritual progress? We begin in darkness, moving slowly by faith and the little knowledge we have. Then we begin to see the outlines of the life we have chosen with Christ, and we ask the Spirit’s guidance in making sense of these foundational truths. As we continue to walk by faith, diligently obeying the truths we are learning, the light becomes brighter (Prov. 4:18). And we discover that staying in the Word, studying and responding through our daily actions, the light of understanding brings clarity to those ancient truths that have guided saints through the ages.
The light doesn’t come all at once. New babes in Christ are not expected to understand all things, but we are not to stay babes. We are expected to study the Word so that we can understand and discern God’s Truth (II Tim. 2:15) and thereby grow and enjoy him. God has given us the precious opportunity to increase our intimacy with him during our time on earth. And as we get better acquainted, our love and appreciation for him grows.
Let the light dawn in our hearts.

 

Precious Father, break forth into our lives with your Light that we may better know, understand, and walk with you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.