Your Divine Light

I wish I could show you,
when you are lonely or in darkness,
the astonishing light of your own being.
Karen White, Pieces of the Heart

Your light is
All I see.
And is but a reflection
Of the Light in me.
Gerald Jampolsky

This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
African American spiritual

When I started thinking about what to write for this email bulletin, quotes and phrases about light and images of light kept tumbling into my mind and then the sun broke through the clouds as if in affirmation. I am sure I have most of these phrases all mixed together so they are not true quotes. So forgive me for mixing it all up. Go forth and be a light unto the world, do not hide your light under a bushel, the light has come, I’d rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and the unbearable lightness of being. They seem to run through my mind when I need some hope and encouragement.

We often use the image of light burning away the darkness of the soul, or lighting one’s way out of the darkness of confusion. Just one glimpse of the sun on a cloudy, rainy day can lighten my mood. When we are confused we often use the phrase, “I now see the light” to express an end to confusion or a dawning realization. In my presentations, I talk about seeing the inner Divine light in every child no matter the behavior or disabling condition. I want to be able to see that inner light in every person I meet, no matter how buried or faint it appears to be.

What is this light? I believe it is our remembrance that we are one with God which is the inner light that shines in every person, absolutely every person. God is light; God is love. Our inner light is an internal reminder of God’s presence and God’s love in us and working through us always. What does it mean to see the light in our children, our partner, our family and friends? What does it mean to see the light even in people who are doing great wrong and committing violent acts out of fear, anger or revenge? Is it possible to still see God’s light in them, to embrace this light? Embracing does not mean condoning terrible acts or even minor irritations or judgments; it means trusting that God’s love is in every person and this is all that matters. Their light may be dim and flicker but it will never go out. God’s love can not be quenched. God only sees wholeness of spirit because we are one with Him/Her. We move away from our remembrance that we are one with God, when we fail to see the light in every living being. We let the darkness in when we judge or attack another. A Course in Miracles asks that we practice this thought, “The light has come. I have forgiven the world.” Can we do no less than forgive when God forgives us?

This is my prayer to remember to say to every person I meet, to every politician that upsets me, to every person consumed by hatred, “Your light is all I see and is but a reflection of the light in me.” And when our children are struggling to be seen as whole instead of broken to say, “I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.”

This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.