Photo credit: courtesy Bud Ezekiel HitchcockThen the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked ...
~ Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)
It's been suggested that Adam and Eve were clothed with the holy Light of God before they sinned, and their physical nakedness was only manifest in the loss of such spiritual clothing.
Worse than the S.A.D.D. that may threaten with winter's dim skies and short days would be the profound sadness of having full fellowship with the Creator and be clothed with His Light—and then lose it. I sometimes have the audacity to question if the Lord really needed to make mankind’s consequences any worse.
He surely did. We have so many blessings to distract ourselves from fellowship with our Lord. If we felt no more than the loss of that fellowship—if the world was not filled with suffering, to remind us that this really isn’t the way the Lord planned for things to be—we might convince ourselves that we can get along quite nicely without Him.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
~ John 8:12 (NKJV)
Certain light bulbs are said to relieve winter S.A.D.D. for some people. The only remedy which seems to help me is The Light—Jesus. But even The Light of the world doesn’t work for me in small doses. I need to bathe in it.
If sunbathing requires a person to strip away as many clothes as is decent and expose plenty of skin to solar light, then Sonbathing is to strip away as many thoughts as are distracting and expose plenty of soul to Holy Light.
What would we do if our God did not love us so much that He pulls back the shade of this world's darkness and beckon us to immerse ourselves in His Word, bathe in His presence by pouring out our hearts to Him, and surround ourselves with His people?
"Let your light shine before others, so that they will see the beauty of your labors and will recognize your Father in Heaven."
~ Matthew 5:16 (author)
If we do not accept His invitation to be infused with Light, what will be the condition of others in darkness, who need to know Him?
Thank You, Lord, for not leaving us in darkness. Thank You for the beauty and strength and comfort of Your Light. Please shine Your love to others through us, even if we don't notice it passing through.
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail me ~ buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
I crave more of His beautiful light. I hope He choses to shine through me this year and always.
ReplyDeleteI'm deeply grateful He didn't leave us in darkness and I need some of those SADD light bulbs.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
...been thinking about Adam for a few days now after reading a post of yours in the back forty.(June 19,2008)that was a different take for me concerning Adam and i'm still appreciatively chewing on it. Jesus was called the second Adam, wasn't He? Sonbathing. i like that description:) thank you for photo credit too. ...and the reminder.
ReplyDeleteT ~
ReplyDeleteThere's always plenty of light to be found between the covers of that sacred volume. Now if we can just make time to open it often enough ...
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteIf those bulbs were to affect me, I think I'd need about a hundred of them in one room so I could bathe in the light.
Bud ~
ReplyDeleteYes, Jesus is called the second Adam. But the first Adam introduced sin and death. The second Adam brings us salvation and life. So, so important for us to keep our eyes on the One who brings Light rather than follow the example of the former. Now off to go read that post ...
What I love about Sonbathing is you never get burned. :)
ReplyDeleteSnady ~
ReplyDeletenever get burned
Good one! Whoever, whatever else may hurt me, the Son is only good.
Do a search: The First Scandal Adam and Eve.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robert. I've searched this well, and will continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteAnd during these bleak winter days I feel my need for that Light all the more. Such a lovely post, Anne. I cannot meditate on the fall without immense sorrow...that they walked in the garden with Him never ceases to amaze.
ReplyDeleteSonbathing on a snow day...
Oh Anne, you remind me, chasten me even. I'd like to think that I best bathe in His light alone with Him. And yet, He "beckon[s] us to immerse ourselves in His Word, bathe in His presence by pouring out our hearts to Him, and surround ourselves with His people."
ReplyDeleteWith His people. I sometimes persuade myself otherwise. I thank you for this reminder my friend. You are light.
Laura ~
ReplyDeleteAdam lived over 900 years. I wonder how many years Eve lived—how many children she had—waiting for the Child that would crush the head of the serpent. How might she feel to know how long we would remain under the curse, even after the victory is won?
Maranatha! Come, Lord! Bring full Light!
Lyla ~
ReplyDeleteJesus left behind His Word, Spirit, church. We may be able to stand on one, and balance on two, but we are only stable when depending on all three. Many Christians have hurt me. But many, many more have loved and upheld me far more. We need one another if we are to see this through.
Thank you for being one of those people in my life to uphold me. ♥
It's important to apply *Sonlight* liberally and often -- not just a one-time deal. Thanks Anne for another good reminder.
ReplyDeleteAmy ~
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how often we forget to apply the obvious, isn't it? :P No wonder Jesus calls us sheep. Like Solomon, the wisest man to live before Jesus, having wisdom and applying it are two entirely different matters.