Highlighted

BETHANY TIPPIN

As I watched the sun crest the hills behind my house early this morning, I marveled at the way golden light streamed over the landscape. I love the way sunlight moves and transforms each and every hill and valley. What appear typically as flat, broad spaces are revealed as they truly are--a terrain of bumps, pockets, and beautiful curves. As my eyes followed the trajectory of the light, I saw and noticed new details. My attention was held and led by the movement of the sun.

For a moment, the neighbor's house was brilliantly bathed in liquid yellow, and I caught my breath. The inspiration of holy imagination tugged me to lift a silent prayer, "Lord God, bless these friends and neighbors, fill their home with presence and peace. Thank you for bringing them to my attention this morning."

God's Word and His Spirit are like this, illuminators and highlighters toward special noticing.

In John 8, Jesus declares himself as "the light of life." He promises that whoever follows him will "never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV)

The psalmist David declares God's Word as "a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

May our triune God lead and guide you in light and sight today. May your eyes, ears, hearts, and minds be opened to holy noticing. May your prayers follow the inspiration and highlighting of beauty, present-moment love, and grace.