The presence of color in the universe truly is a testimony of the greatness of the Creator. God created the light that we receive from the sun to be a mixture of all the primary colors. The prismatic effect of water droplets separates these colors so that they can be seen individually in a rainbow.
As light falls on an object, some of that light is absorbed by the object while the remainder is reflected off. When this reflected light enters our eye, we say that we see the object. If an object reflects all the light shining on it, it will appear white to us. If an object reflects only the blue portion of the light, we will see that object as blue. If an object reflects both the blue and the red portions of light, the object will appear as brown. If an object absorbs the majority of the light falling on it, we see a dark object because very little light is reflecting from that area; and we say the object is black.
Interesting things start to happen however when objects are viewed under light that is only a single color. Under only red light, an object that normally appears red would still look red; but an object that would ordinarily appear white would also look red; and an object that would ordinarily appear blue would now look black. Under only green light, objects that ordinarily would appear green or white would all look green; and objects that would usually be red or blue would appear black. The true color of an object can only be known if it is viewed under pure white light. Therein lie some lessons for us. How we view life will be dependent upon what is illuminating our life.
If the green light of envy and jealousy floods our life, we will see unfairness all around us. Others are healthier or wealthier than we are. Others have more opportunities than we do; and we become discontented and unhappy; and we wallow in self-pity. But, if the pure light of God’s Word floods our life, we will see that “The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places...” (Psa 16:6). We will then be able to see the abundance of blessings that we have, and our hearts will well up in thankfulness to God for His bountiful care over us.
If the rosy light of self-sufficiency and pride illuminates our way, we will be convinced of the superiority of our own thinking. No one else will have a clearer understanding of issues than we do. No one else will be able to provide as good solutions to problems as we can. We will not need to seek advice from others because no one else will really know what we are facing; and further more, we can do things that others could not because we do not have the weaknesses they do. But what does the pure white light of the Word of God say? “Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Pro 11:14). And “The way of a fool is right in his won eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Pro 21:15).
Has the yellow light of fear and doubt tinted our vision? If it has, we will feel ourselves shrinking to the size of grasshoppers before the disdainful sneer of the giants of our day. We will quake at every rustle in the bushes and drop our weapons and flee headlong before the zealous prophets of false religions. We will utter a few feeble protests and then acquiesce when our children desire to follow the fads and fashions of the world. If however, the brilliant whiteness of the eternal Word floods our life, we will confidently say “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2Ki 6:16). We will be infused with power as we consider the fact that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Php 4:13). Our resolve will swell with Paul’s as we identify with his testimony “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Php 1:17).
Our outlook on life is not the only thing that is impacted by the quality of light that illuminates our experience. The simple fact of the matter is that the quality of our testimony is dependent on the quality of light that directs us. If our eyes are fixed on wealth, then that is the “hue” our life will emit. If sports and recreation light our fire, then that is what others will see in us. Likewise, if our first priority is to glorify God and to honor His principles in our life, we will not be able to hide the heavenly “glow” that radiates from the lives of those who have been in the presence of God. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). We can only reflect pure light to the world if that is what is filling our lives.
What is the quality of light that is illuminating our lives? Are we looking at life from God’s perspective? Are we able to see things in their proper light because we have adopted God’s values for our own? “The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matt 6:22, 23).
— Siguatepeque HN
Published after Bro Ronnie’s death on July 1, 2010
August 2010