All That Glitters
I’m beginning the new year with a Nerd Alert!
The saying, ‘All that glitters is not gold’ was not original with Shakespeare who twisted a phrase by a French monk, Alain de Lille. In 1175, De Lille wrote ‘Do not hold everything gold that shines like gold.’ Even Shakespeare’s quote has been changed around. The line from the Merchant of Venice ‘all that glistens’ has changed to the modern phrase ‘all that glitters.’ Nerdy, but interesting.
I love me some glitter and anything a tad gaudy! I love light – lots of it! Sunlight through windows during the day and bunches of overhead lights at night make me happy. Especially during this time of year. I’m still trying to talk myself out of putting away my Christmas lights this week. I will probably win the argument and keep them glistening. Every day and every hour I am awake, my beautiful lights will sparkle around my living room probably until March.
I have one sequin pillow and am thinking seriously about getting or making another. Anyone who sits in a chair near the pillow grabs it and becomes artistic with the tactile furnishing. Fun, creative, and of course, it is blue. Win-win-win!
I change this one in the living room from one chair to another to catch the sunlight so it will reflect on my ceiling. It’s interesting – only sunlight makes the ceiling sparkle. Therein lies my object lesson for the day.
Yowza!!!
When I started looking up verses about light, I was shocked to find so many verses which were exactly what I need for this blog!
Jesus said a lot about light to describe Himself. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, ‘I am the light of the world.’
Jesus also has some expectations and descriptions about those who choose to believe in Him and follow His Truth. Matthew 5 continues with this. ‘You are the light of the world.’ …. ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’
The next verse is pretty nice to my way of thinking. John 8:12, ‘Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ Of course, He was talking of spiritual darkness, but I wonder if we can also apply that to have symbolic Jesus’ light to illumine our way, guide us in our daily struggles, and lead us into knowledge, righteousness, and purity.
Ephesians 5:8 has a great way to think of our identity in Christ and gives our marching orders. ‘For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.’
Just as God is love, He is light. That is part of His very essence. The ‘Son-Light’ shining on and through us can make a difference in the world around us. As believers, we can reflect His love and shine with God’s joy and peace to bless others.
May it be so.
Blessings
Kara Beth
