The weather has been so unpredictable recently. Patches of sunshine, monsoon rains and then stormy. We see evidence of the beginning of global warming every day.

Sometimes we know that there are dark clouds on the horizon. They can seem threatening, even menacing. We wonder how to endure.

Yet there are often shards of light breaking through the clouds. They are breathtakingly beautiful and inspiring. It is as if God wants to remind us that the darkness will not last forever, and indeed that there is light to come. Somewhere beyond the dark and gloomy skies, there is still sunshine.

I love the verse from John chapter 1 verse 5: ‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness never overcomes it.’ Jesus is our light, and His light always shines brightly. Even when the darkness is upon us, it is only temporary, a momentary blip in the eternal story.

A question that can be helpful to ask, is where do we notice the light in our lives? My Christian faith brings me light, reconnecting with friends from the past, acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, the beauty of a landscape, worship music – they can all console and inspire, but we all have different things that bring illumination. We are so very grateful for these, for they sustain us on bleak or dreary days.

Gracious God, You are the Giver of light and the Source of love, and we thank you that in our Saviour Jesus Christ, You guide and inspire and bless our lives. At times we are fearful of the future, and we cower at the noise of the thunder and impending storm. But you bring us to a place of shelter, and remind us that after the darkness of night, comes the beautiful soft light of the eternal dawn, so there is nothing to fear, for we are just called to place our hand in Yours, and You are worthy of our trust. Holy spirit, may we always notice the fragments of light, so we may find our way, and find a path of hope, both now and forevermore, Amen