Sunday, August 8

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.
—1 John 1:5

Not long ago I heard a movie character claim that the Italian for “to give birth” literally means “to bring into the light.” How profound! Giving life to another human being, bringing them into this world, is to bring them to the light! It is such an incredible image.

Just before our first child was born, I was full of anxiety. Worry for my spouse during the delivery, worry for the health of our daughter, worry about passing out—you name it, I was worried about it. 

But once I was by my wife’s side at the hospital, things changed. The whole process of seeing life come into this world was the most amazing thing I had experienced—surreal even! The worry faded as the hope of new life came into the world.

God claims that same joy for us each day. Each day is an opportunity to come into the light yet again, to be born anew. We can approach a day with apprehension—what could happen, what might hurt, what might suck the wind right out of us?

But when we are able to enjoy each new day as a gift, to see it as a coming into God’s glorious light, we find that God claims resurrection for us each step of the way. We’re not here to fear what might happen, but to enjoy each breath we take as we emerge from all the wombs of life.

So come into God’s light today. Let the resurrected love of Christ embrace you. Feel its warmth, its incredible life, and enjoy this gift with every new breath you take.

God, open my heart to your life that I might see each day as a new birth, a chance to come into your life and light. Amen.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.