Two lengthy flowerbeds stretch along the front base of our house.  Since our home faces west, the plants in those beds receive afternoon sunshine, which means they are bathed in the hottest and most direct rays of the sun for the longest possible duration.  Any plants in those beds must be able to tolerate full sun.

So, of course, those are the types of shrubs and flowers I have planted there.  And they certainly prosper – stretching both up and out and bursting with beautiful blooms in due time.

However, there is an interesting disparity between some of the same types of flowers residing in the same beds but different spots.  And the situation repeats year-after-year.  A few of the flowers are noticeably shorter and smaller than their kindred flowers just mere feet away.

In the one bed, a Younique Phlox and Russian Sage are significantly stunted in stature from their twins further down the line.  In the other bed, a New York Aster and Goura can’t compare to the exact same plants rooted nearby.

Why the difference?  They were planted at the same time, in the same soil, and in the same beds.  The soil around them is equally fertilized and weed-free.  They receive the same amount of water at the same times.  So what’s the issue?

The explanation is simple; the dwarfed flowers receive less sunshine than the others.  They are blocked for one reason or another from the full effect of a full afternoon of sunbeams.  The result? They don’t thrive as much as the other plants that enjoy unencumbered rays.

The same thing occurs with Christians.

Those who frequently avail themselves of the light of God’s word tend to bloom and flourish more than their spiritual brothers and sisters who are “light”-starved. 

Perhaps one might argue that there are plants that actually prosper when they receive limited sunshine.  This is true, of course.  But we are not that type of plant! 

We are rated “full sun.”  If we aren’t experiencing regular doses of light, we will certainly wither and our risk of dying spiritually rises exponentially.  Rather, for our souls to thrive, we need extended time in the brilliant, beaming light of God’s word.  And the more we are immersed in Biblical light, the more we burst forth with spiritual foliage, and the more spiritual fruit and flowers we produce.

The amount of faith, trust, peace, joy, confidence, self-esteem, and spiritual security one owns typically corresponds with the amount of “sunshine” to which they have been exposed, (and still ARE being exposed!).

The contrast between light and darkness, spiritually speaking, permeates the Scriptures.  To list just a few of the many examples, there was God’s promise to send the Savior who would bring light into the darkness of this world (Is. 60:1-3).  Later, Jesus announced that he was that very light – “the light of the world” – and that those who follow him will have the light of life (John 8:12).  Jesus also informed us, his followers, that we are now lights in the world, and urged us to let our lights shine! (Mt. 5:14-16).  Finally, the Bible tells us that heaven will be lit by the glory of the Lord, and there will be no night there (Rev. 21:23-25).

But here is the critical key to all the rest.  For us to understand these pictures.  For us to experience these truths and exemplify them.  For us to escape the spiritual darkness … and remain free from it … we must be the recipients, initially and regularly, of the rays of God’s bright and brilliant “sunshine.”  (i.e. His dynamic word – Romans 1:16).

Scripture emphasizes this, and reemphasizes it!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).  “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

We were brought into the light of faith by our gracious God through his gospel.  And God’s gospel still provides glorious, life-giving light which results in beautiful bloom and blossoms from believers.  The psalmist writes of the Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. … The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:105 & 130). “For with you, [O God], is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9).

Which is precisely why “full-sun” plants like us love the light!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 Peter 1:19-21
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Psalm 118:27-29
The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. … You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 43:2-4
You are God my stronghold.  … Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?