Intertribal Life Newspaper -

There is no place quite like the mountains to enjoy the first rays of morning light. Shimmering rays glint across lakes and streams, inviting wildlife to leave their shadowy shelters for a cool morning drink. Through the stillness I hear the familiar plinks of fish jumping to snatch insects. Insistent jays and chattering chipmunks urge me to pay attention to the glory around me. Indian paintbrush, yellow buttercups, and purple columbine paint brilliant hues on grassy slopes encouraging the surrounding peaks to glow with golden tones as if they, together, celebrate the dawn of a new day.

I enjoy sitting beside a crackling campfire savoring the scents of pine, wood smoke, frying bacon and simmering cowboy coffee. It is a time of refreshment and renewal, a time to refocus my heart on what is truly important. I would never have experienced a scene like this without light. There would be no sight, no color, no trees, no food and no life. God said a lot when He said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), but He wasn't talking only about physical light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

What does that mean for us? As I struggled to put ideas into words this morning, my friend called me. We have spent the last three years going through the Bible together. God's Word has truly been a lamp for our feet and a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105). My friend and God's Word helped me get through two years of scary health issues.

She tells me that I would not have wanted to know her years ago because of her anger, her addictions and her racism. I can hardly picture that coming from my sweet friend. Even this morning, through tears of joy, she shared how God healed one more part of her heart and set her free to live the life He wants for her. I admire her because she seeks God with all her heart, and I marvel when I see what God gives her back.

John wrote: "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin"

(1 John 1:5-7).

Christ's light sparkles when it shines into the darkness; when we love those who hate us and bless those who curse us, and when we pray for those who despitefully use us. What a victory over the darkness! No one can force us to be bitter, fearful, or filled with unbelief, hate, lust or any other ugly thing that will bring brokenness and despair into our lives. We can receive forgiveness, and we can forgive. We don't have to live in bondage.

As we bask in God's light, our spiritual cells begin to hum like a factory producing wonderful supplies. Our brains switch into life-giving thoughts. Our hearts beat with our Creator's heart, and life flows out to others.

So absorb some of the Son's rays today as you get into God's Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to grow living fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It feels so good-just like when we turn our faces up to spring sunshine after a cold, dark winter.

Sue Carlisle grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. An enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, her passion is to encourage people to look at creation and see our awesome Creator. Sue is author of Walking with the Creator Along the Narrow Road (2013 Indian Life Books). She and her husband, Wes, now live in Thunder Bay, Ontario.