Seeking the Light

Seeking the light (Greek: φως) finds the Path of Jesus Christ's greener pastures of safety, security and abundance.
Light is a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God's Revelation (the way in which He reveals Himself to people).
God's first act in Creation was to speak light into existence.
Genesis 1:3
2 Corinthians 4: God said "let light shine out of darkness".
God Created spiritual energy to energize people and nations.
Moses led his people (nation) out of slavery and misery.
Seeking the light through faith finds hope to better days ahead.
Light is a metaphor for knowledge as a distinct contrast to ignorance that creates boundaries.
"Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is doing it."
Light and life are connected in the physical and spiritual senses.
Living things on Earth need sunlight to grow physically.
People need the Light of God to deliver them from sin and its consequences.
Jesus Christ (Greek: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ) "The Light of the World" (Greek: φώς τοῦ κόσμου - Phṓs tou kósmou )
Jesus came into this world in humility, simplicity and in poverty.
His Crib was an animal feeding trough.
Angels proclaimed the joyous Birth of Jesus to shepherds keeping watch over their flock that first Christmas Eve.
“The glory of the Lord shone round about them and said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord".
(Luke 2:10, 11)
"Light of the World" appears in the Gospels of Matthew and John in the New Testament symbolizing Jesus Christ as "the Light of the world" to illuminate spiritual realities that suddenly makes sense.
Jesus Christ describe His followers as beacons of hope amidst times of darkness to overcome fears, worries and the obstacles of life.
Just as a lighthouse guides a ship to shore, Jesus Christ illuminates our path away from darkness to provide that inspirational, inner-strength to move mountains.
"I am the light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life"
(John 8:12)
Holy Spirit (Greek: άγιο πνεύμα - ágio pnévma)
The Holy Spirit is our illuminating source of spiritual sight that inspires and guides throughout life to serve God, our family and our fellow human being.

Veil to Vision

Seeking the Light
Veil to Vision means a spiritual veil of blindness (lack of spiritual insight) that Saint Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 of the New Testament that states how "an intangible curtain" prevents heathens from seeing the Truth of Jesus Christ in the context of salvation.
People who reject God and the Teachings of Jesus Christ are considered "lost".
John 12:40 says, "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn".
When the veil is lifted, enlightenment allows the individual to perceive and understand spiritual realities.
Forsaking Worldliness
When thoughts, attitudes and desires are focused on the "self" and their surroundings rather than on spiritual matters, it affects the eternal future of the soul.
The quote "Be ye in the world, but not of the world" is attributed to Jesus Christ reminding Christians that they should not be consumed by the world, even though they are in it.
Seeking the Light
Light has been used in churches throughout history to create a spiritual atmosphere for reverence and worship.
In theology, light is the Divine Radiance of God's Presence above, around and beyond.
Light is a Divine symbol of knowledge, wisdom and the difference between good and evil.
In the Bible, light symbolizes Holiness, Purity, Goodness, Grace and Glory.
Light represents truth and the "light of reason".
Light becomes the symbol of life and immortality - physical life on Earth and eternal life to come in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
By contrast, darkness has been associated with evil, sin, and despair.
Darkness can symbolize a world without God's Presence.
Without God, the individual is "spiritually poor".
The "spiritual poor" lack the Fear of God.
Jesus says: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Psalm 112:4 says, “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright.”

Salvation

Seeking the Light
God gave humanity the Gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ and salvation (Greek: σωτηρία - sotiría)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who came to shepherd God's people to greener pastures so we can inherit the Kingdom of God.
The human journey in life is about reaching for the Light of God.
When Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36) He was referring to God's Heavenly Kingdom, the eternal home of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ, our Blessed Virgin Mary, the Saints, the Prophets and all God's people.
God is a Spiritual Force - Heaven is a Spiritual World
God gifted mankind with a spiritual soul that will continue to exist beyond physical life in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
Every soul strives for the ultimate Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 6:33 reminds us of the importance of seeking God's Kingdom and Righteousness by living a life that is pleasing to Him.
When we obey God's Word and walk in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ, we purify our souls.
Being a beacon of light beams inner love through the soul and outward into the material world.
Seeking the Light
Two Paths of Life
Vice
The path of worldly values is driven by power, status, money, material things and sensual pleasures.
Virtue
The Path of the Good Shepherd leads His flock to greener pastures is a metaphor for God's Care for His people.

Lighting a Candle

Seeking the Light
A candle (Greek: κερί - kerí) has a powerful and profound spiritual meaning of hope and healing that symbolizes their ability to illuminate darkness.
The candle symbolizes holy illumination, purification and cleansing - it represents the Light of Jesus Christ.
A candle can be lit to express gratitude to God for answered prayers.
We light a candle to show reverence for a Saint.
Candles are lit during seasonal festivities to symbolize the hope and renewal of Jesus' Birth, Death and Resurrection.
We light our candle:
*In church to thank God for His many blessings
*To remember loved ones who are sick
*For those who have passed into God's Heavenly Kingdom
*To ask God to have mercy on their souls.
And, we light a candle and pray, to repent for our own sins.

Seeking the Light

Love (Greek: αγάπη - agápi)
Love symbolizes the radiating light of affection.
Love is an important part of romantic and familial relationships.
God's Love flows out through the Teachings of Jesus Christ, our Savior Who Died on the Cross and was Resurrected to save humanity from their sins and reconcile them with God.
Seeking the Light
Other symbols of love include:
The Heart (Greek: καρδιά - kardiá):
The heart is a universal symbol of love and affection.
The first known depiction of a heart as a symbol of love dates to the 1250s in a miniature decorating a capital 'S' in a manuscript of the French Roman de la poire.
In the miniature, a kneeling lover with a "sweet gaze" offers his heart to a damsel.
When our "heart spiritually awakens" our lives have meaning, a purpose and an eternal destiny.
Hands Reaching Out:
Hands reaching out depict a powerful symbol of kindness, support and togetherness.
Hands reaching out symbolize Jesus Christ, His Miracles and Acts of Healing.
Jesus Christ's Outstretched Hands offer love, forgiveness and deliverance.
Doves:
Doves are associated with love, peace, and kindness.
They were associated with Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, who is often depicted with doves around her.
Doves are known for their care and dedication to their young.
They are often released at weddings to symbolize love, purity and faithfulness.
Doves are often released at funerals to represent the spirit of the departed transitioning from the physical world to the everlasting spiritual realm of God's Heavenly Kingdom.
In the Bible, Noah sent out a dove after the flood to see if the rain had stopped.
It returned with an olive branch, which indicated dry land nearby representing peace with God.

Awe and Wonder

Seeking the Light
God is the ultimate subject of awe and wonder radiating reverence via the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 95:6: "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker"!
The Bible portrays awe and wonder as a profound recognition of God's Majesty and Power through His Creation.
Fear of the Lord is the gift of wonder that encourages the faithful to be in awe of God.
Other sources of awe and wonder are nature, music, art, architecture, religious experiences, talented individuals that inspire and even one's own accomplishments.
Awe and wonder inspires, motivates and energizes our thinking to experience a feeling of amazement and admiration for beauty, something rare or the unexpected.
Awe and wonder can humble people through the moral beauty of kindness, courage and the ability to overcome adversity.
The beautiful landscape of the countryside, a humble, hilltop monastery and a breath-taking sunrise or sunset are examples that can elicit awe and wonder.
Moral beauty include acts of kindness, charity, self-sacrifice, courage, humility and perseverance.
Beauty that never diminishes or fades is the inner beauty that shines from inside out that other people will say "what a wonderful human being"!
We see beauty in the most simple and common things around us such as family and friends, a beautiful garden and the changing seasons that can give us unending joy.

True Life Story of an ex-Atheist, Ian McCormack's Near Death Experience (NDE)

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