On Life and Light

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of men."  John 1:4

The life of Jesus is the light of our lives.  But how is it that life is light?  And while we're at it, what is life anyway?  Imponderable questions, both of them.

The American Heritage Dictionary lists sixteen definitions for life.  One that stands out is "the property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, response to stimuli, and reproduction."

Add to that a spiritual perspective, and now we've something to ponder.  How is your life in Christ manifested by those four functions of living organisms?

Metabolism:  Are you processing and digesting the Word of God in such a way that you can use it and apply it to your everyday life?

Growth:  Are you becoming stronger in your faith, more patient, kinder, more loving, more like Jesus?

Response to Stimuli:  Are your reactions to the challenges of life different from the world's because of your life in Christ?

Reproduction:  It's a normal part of a mature life.  Are you bringing people to Jesus?  With whom have you shared your faith this week, this month, this year?  Are there more Christians today because of your witness?  

So, how did your faith walk measure up?  Does it look more dead than alive, as if it no longer has life?  Does it simply look inanimate, as if there never was life at all, because none of the functions of a living being were ever manifested?  

Perhaps the most important question is how does Christ view your life?  

Let Him shine His light in your heart today and show you where He wants you to grow and change.  Let His life fill yours with light.
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This article first appeared in Physician Magazine, March/April 2002.