Harsh Light

• Bible Reading Matthew 5:13-16 
• Focus Scripture Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your light shine before people so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
• Harsh Light- YouTube Video Link

As a photographer, I often look for well-lit areas and try to avoid direct sunlight if needed. Of course, it all depends on what the goal is. I recently went on a sunset photo shoot and afterward found myself driving down a country road. As the sun faded the sky gave way to the stars and it became increasingly darker. With no street lights to illuminate the way I found myself switching on my high beam headlights.
Occasionally a car would appear in the distance and I reminded myself to turn my high beams down. I noticed that they would do the same. With each car that came into view, overwhelming light reflected back into my eyes and we responded by turning down the level to balance the brightness. The moment we passed the lights would flick back up to its brightest exposure shining into the darkness ahead. How amazing??? Not knowing who was behind the wheel of the oncoming vehicle we each reacted with compassion because we knew what the other was experiencing. (Spiritual food for thought.)

Our light coming towards each other may be too bright and cause one of us to look away. Instead, if we adjust, the other can stay on course. Joining the individual light we are able to see more than we did alone, by working together to highlight the areas that were once hidden. We don’t have to dominate by blinding others out of fear of what cannot be seen.  We control the lights on our vehicles as a way of guiding others traveling alongside us. Using God’s light to, guide others, warn them, or adjusting to accommodate their vision is how we remain useful in God’s plan.

~Torrie

Journal Prompts 

1. How Bright is Your light?
2. Do you cause others to shy away?
3. Is it a light of humility or prideful arrogance?

© Torrie Slaughter, Torrie Slaughter Photography, and http://www.ourgivenpurpose.com 2018-2048. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Torrie Slaughter, Torrie Slaughter Photography, and http://www.ourgivenpurpose.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.