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Light
October 4, 2009
Dear Friends,
Those who know our family will not be surprised that we recently watched Joanna Lumley’s fascinating programme “Cat Woman”. She had travelled the world to investigate our furry, four footed friends of very size and even the new breeds with no fur!
In part, she told us what we already knew that cats are far more independent than dogs and much harder to “train” for work and other “useful” things. However, as well as being a pleasure for those of us who are cat owners, they are also a significant help to interact with the learning disabled and elderly. (PAT cats – meaning Pets As Therapy)
I was not interested in the pampered cat aspects but was really fascinated by the research into cats’ whiskers and eye-sight. We saw Joanna wearing a whiskers’ mask that simulated the way whiskers react to objects and give spatial awareness. She was placed in a dark room to show how effective they were enabling movement around objects that cannot be seen. Separately, she wore the cat eye goggles and discovered what it was like to have eyes that took in six times the amount of light that we humans do. This time she was able to see in situations that we would be blind in.
The word that Joanna used to describe her experiences was respect and how her respect for cats had grown. Personally I have always felt that cats are one of the many wonders of God’s creation.
Fascinating as all that may be, the reason that I have quoted it here is because of the powerful imagery of Light. The more light that the cat has coming into each eye the better it can see. The image of Light is such a powerful on in the Bible and we are reminded that in this world where there is much darkness we are given the opportunity of accepting the Light of Jesus. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reminds them that the evil one wanted to keep their minds in darkness but actually the Light of Jesus was available (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Therefore are we move into Autumn and towards the darker days of the year let us keep before us the spiritual Light of Jesus and keep singing in our hearts “Shine Jesus shine.”
Graham Kendrick’s song words are among the best know to many people and as we approach HopeFest our prayer is that more people would come to know that truth for themselves.
Lord the light of Your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth You now bring us ~
shine on me, shine on me.
With warmest Christian Greetings
God Bless you, Kath
PS I read the following words recently and was encouraged by them - just one way in which the Light of Jesus is shining in our dark world.
In many developing nations, faith groups are the most powerful agencies for emergency aid, development and social change, Tony Blair has said.
The former Prime Minister said religion often has the strongest influence on people’s attitudes and behaviour. While some groups wilfully oppose development, ‘faith can be a channel through which people become engaged as active citizens and press for change’. Mr Blair cited examples including the churches’ role as the largest healthcare providers in Sub-Sahara Africa and the London faith march calling governments to honour the Millennium Development Goals. He urged UK leaders to include the role of faith alongside economic and political factors when tackling development.
Source: The Guardian (7/9; 9/9)
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