Some things you can’t unsee
by Greg Fowler
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Among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe … The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire (Revelation 1:13,14).
Read Revelation 1:9–20
When we hear that isolation and loneliness are more prevalent today despite the capacity to be connected 24/7, we are not surprised. In the first century, the Apostle John was physically exiled on the island of Patmos, but anyone can be exiled today, even in the midst of a crowd.
It is into this context of isolation that John received a vision that would forever shape the church’s understanding of our Lord. He turned to see a voice and beheld the glorified Jesus, not as the humble carpenter of Galilee, but as the cosmic king and eternal priest.
The imagery is overwhelming: eyes like blazing fire, feet like glowing bronze and a voice like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand are seven stars, and from his mouth comes a sharp, double-edged sword. His face shines like the sun in all its brilliance.
This is not a portrait meant to terrify us but to fortify our faith. When our own circumstances feel like a Patmos – marked by suffering, loneliness or confusion – this vision recalibrates our perspective. The one we follow is not distant or detached. He is among the lampstands (the churches), intimately present with his people. He holds the messengers of the churches (the stars) in his powerful, sovereign hand.
When we feel that no-one knows us at all or understands our situation, his fiery eyes see through all pretence, knowing our struggles and our hearts completely. This is the same Jesus who walks with us, yet he is the ‘First and the Last’, who conquered death and holds the keys to eternal life.
When our faith feels small, we are called to look up and see our great High King. Our trust is not in a mere historical figure, but in the sovereign Lord of the universe, who is both majestic enough to rule and near enough to hold us fast. He is in our midst for blessing and life.
Lord Jesus, when my vision grows small and my faith weak, remind me of your glory. Help me to see you as John saw you and experience your love as John did. Amen.
Pastor Greg lives in beautiful Redland Bay with his wife, Connie, where they enjoy the beaches, weather and outdoor lifestyle of south Brisbane. He serves as the college pastor at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands.
Look to the Sunrise 2nd Thursday in Advent Read: 2 Samuel 23:1-5 “[God] is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” 2 Samuel 23:4 (NIV)
In January 1987, four LTC (Lutheran Teacher’s College) graduates set off from Adelaide in two cars to our postings in Queensland. In Brisbane we parted with two graduates going further north-west. Fran and myself drove up the Sunshine Coast where I dropped her in Buderim. I got up early from Buderim after staying one more night with Fran before heading towards Noosa by myself. I was going to a 1-year-old school, hopefully a place to stay and a brand-new class as a brand-new teacher. Good Shepherd Lutheran School had grown from 75 to 150 students in 1987 – what would all this newness hold for me?
As I watched the sun rise heading north to Noosa, I was excited, anxious but also in awe of what God had in store for me. I am sure we have all had this newness feeling. Starting a new job, moving to a new place, a new house, a new school, getting married – everything has a first day, a new beginning! God gives us the sunrise to remind us that He is the light of each new day and through that newness He will shine a path guiding us and leading us. I love the other analogy that the writer of 2 Samuel uses: God is “like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.”
We not only have God’s light to guide us at the beginning of each day, but we have the assurance that He will nourish us with His blessings to keep us growing. That first year of teaching in a new school brought with it many challenges: a broken blackboard, minimal teaching resources, a classroom made up of two office demountables put together, and the need for 6 buckets when it rained. But each morning the sun rose, and I could share God’s blessings with my children and grow them in His love. May each of your sunrises bring God’s light in love and peace.
Take time to be in God’s goodness as we journey to Bethlehem. Grow in God’s light and blessings! Prayer: God of the sunrises and new beginnings. I thank and praise you for each new day and with it help me to see the light of your blessings. May they nourish my life and those around me. Amen
Night Is as Day to God 2nd Wednesday in Advent Read: Psalm 139:7-12 “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.’” Psalm 139:11-12 (NIV)
In 1991 when I nannied in Wales, I took several trips to London when I had time off. I travelled by bus and also by the underground to where I stayed with a friend. One time I remember while on the underground train, the lights went out, the air conditioner stopped, and it became blackness. I remember being terrified as in the darkness, with no light, the mind plays tricks and makes up scary scenarios in the darkness. Around me I could also hear people crying and calling out. After a couple minutes (seemed like hours), all the power came back on, and we went on our way.
Being in the dark, out of control and cast into the unknown is terrifying. King David must have felt like this at times to write Psalm 139, which tells us that no matter where we go, no matter what we do, or how far away from God we may feel… He is always there. God is omnipresent (everywhere at one time) and omniscient (all-seeing). Even the darkness is not dark to God, but it is as light as day. God shines His light in all our dark places – we can never hide from God, which is so comforting to know He is always looking over us and hearing us in all situations.
When I was caught in the underground in London, I felt so alone, so out of control. With God, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. When events or crises occur in our lives it is wonderful to know that we are not alone, and God has promised that ‘This too will pass’. During these times it is hard to hold onto the hope of the unknown. But know when you cannot hold onto hope – Jesus is holding on to you leading and guiding you through the dark places.
Place your love and trust in a God who will never leave you – you are never alone even in the darkest places. There is no darkness with God – only the light of His presence and love! Prayer: Guiding God, send light into my heart and life especially during the dark times. Hold onto me and never let me go. With you beside me I know that I can get through anything. Thank you. Amen.
Clarity of Understanding Read: Psalm 119:129-135 “The unfolding of your words gives light… Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:130a, 135 (NIV)
I remember sitting in my year 11 chemistry class listening to Mr Bowden explaining about the chemical elements and their relationship to each other and how we use our knowledge of the periodic table to be able to draw the chemical equations representing the chemical reactions. I was so confused and did not understand what was being talked about at all. It sounded like another foreign language. Does this hold true to you with any of the classes you took at school? I remember going home and asking my brother James – a chemistry teacher to explain it all again.
This time I understood most but needed to go back again and again to James for clarification. The Bible is much like that, which is why we go to church and have Bible Studies to clarify what God is saying to us through His Word. During the service we hear the Pastor in the sermon explaining and giving us background as to why God is saying this, or why He is doing that. As humans we cannot expect to understand God’s ways immediately, but like in the verse above, we gain light and clarity through the unfolding of God’s Words through those who have also studied and asked the questions from others.
Bible study is so important to pursue as a Christian. It opens God’s plans and shows us His unfailing love for us through sending His Son Jesus as a human baby to live as a human with all the human experiences. God is a compassionate and loving God who created each of us in His image and ultimately wants the whole of humankind to be saved. As we come to the beginning of a new church year, and the end of a calendar year, make a resolution to attend a study with others to learn, discuss and grow in God’s Word to illuminate your understanding of the Scriptures and God’s incredible love and plan for all the world. We can never be too busy to learn about God from His Word! Prayer: Lord God, open your Word to me that I may understand and grow in the knowledge of your plan for my life. Help me to continue to grow and learn with others. Amen.
A Light for Our Path 2nd Monday in Advent Read: Psalm 119:105-112 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
I think one of the first songs I heard from Amy Grant was ‘Thy Word’ which is based on this Bible verse: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path When I feel afraid Think I’ve lost my way Still you’re there right beside me And nothing will I fear As long as you are near Please be near me to the end” This song made a huge impact on me as it was one of the first Christian songs I had heard on the radio – not a hymn! It was written in 1984, forty years ago when Christian music consisted primarily of hymns. Amy Grant was one of the first Christian artists who gained fame and produced albums that crossed over from Christian music into mainstream pop.
God’s Word touched Amy’s heart and she released this song on her sixth album when she was 23 years old. God’s Word provides guidance and direction in life, helping us understand and navigate our journey through our lives. It provides a way so that we don’t have to stumble and not know what God’s wants from us. The Bible provides us with both law and gospel. The law shows us where we are doing wrong and going the wrong way; and the gospel directs us lovingly through God’s grace. We need both law and gospel to understand and navigate our lives.
God knew that… giving us this verse in the Bible telling us that the Bible is our guide. Being a Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ and His teaching and ministry. God has given us the New Testament which tells us of Jesus and the incredible love of a Creator God who gave His Son’s life for all of humankind. The whole of the Bible is God’s story telling of a sinful world, that has been forgiven and loved, nonetheless.
God has provided a clear path of understanding to what God wants for us in His Word, the Bible. It is a light to guide and live by. To live like a Christian is to live like Christ, who followed God’s teachings perfectly. Prayer: Guide me Lord with your Word. Show me your path so that I can follow it. Thank you for forgiving me all the wrong ways when I turn away from you and light the path for me to follow. Amen
Shining Brightly 2nd Sunday in Advent Read: Psalm 89:5-18 “Blessed are those who have learned to shout praise to you. Lord, they live in the light of your kindness.” Psalm 89:15 (NIRV)
When living in Adelaide, I first got the chance of looking through a telescope that my brother Peter had brought home from the university where he was studying cosmic ray physics. One night he pointed it to the heavens, showing the moon, planets and stars shining so brightly. Since then, I have had many other opportunities to look through telescopes from Mt Stromlo Observatory in Canberra to the Reimann’s observatory in Loxton. It amazes me how these heavenly lights shine so brightly from so far away. I was looking up the Bible verse above and found the version written from ‘The Message’ Bible… read it and be amazed at our incredible, enormous, but personal God, who loves us so we can live in His shining light.
“God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly. You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand, you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist. You own the cosmos—you made everything in it, everything from atom to archangel. You positioned the North and South Poles; the mountains Tabor and Hermon sing duets to you.
With your well-muscled arm and your grip of steel— nobody messes with you! The Right and Justice are the roots of your rule; Love and Truth are its fruits. Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!” ~The Message [Psalm 89:5-18] God, you are awesome in brightness! Prayer: I am in awe of you my amazing God! Only you have the power to create all things and through you it all shines with your love. Give me understanding to comprehend this love and share it. Amen.
God’s Nourishment 1st Saturday in Advent Read: Psalm 36:5-9
“For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9 (NIV) Last year when my husband and I were travelling through Salzburg, we visited an unusual summer castle. Schloß Helbrunn was built (1612-1619) by archbishop Markus Sittikus. Underground springs flowed under the castle and gardens so the archbishop, with his sense of humour, had trick water fountains installed throughout the gardens. There were fountains and spigots coming out everywhere and you would get sprayed at any time from the most unsuspecting statue.
There was also a huge, automated music display of the city of Vienna (at the time) and was all run by water – even at the end when you were entranced with the movements, water came spurting out into the audience. My favourite was the outdoor dining setting where the archbishop invited all his friends to dinner, only to have water come through the seats and all around the table.
The archbishop of course, stayed dry. Not only was there the water and the fountains, but it was lit by colour and lights. I love seeing fountains and saw many throughout Europe, but so many of these were created with recirculating the water through. At Schloß Hellbrunn, the water was fed by fresh underground springs which never seemed to run out. King David described God as a fountain, not something that just recirculates but rather a fountain of never-ending new life that gives life and rejuvenation to all around. He is the source of all life and from Him life flows like a fountain nourishing all around Him.
David also tells us that being in the light of God we see only light. Light always outshines the night. When we think of God as the light – everything we see and do is illuminated by him. In God there is no darkness, and we seek this light moving forward in faith. The Advent season is a time spoken of in terms of light and dark. Jesus was the light sent by God into a dark world to bring everlasting light. Live in the light this Advent season and drink from the abundant fountain of life. Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are my fountain of life and light. Guide and bless me in all the things I do to share your love with others as you continually bless me. Amen
Ultimate Power Source Read: Psalm 27:1-5 “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
In the ‘Mission Impossible’ movies, Tom Cruise is placed in situations where he is called upon to help solve and correct the ultimate power plays happening in the world. He is asked to accept the mission but usually those asking will take no responsibility for the consequences or fallout from any situation that he may find himself in. Of course, he always accepts the mission.
I enjoy watching these action-packed movies which usually end up with Tom Cruise being the hero who has in some way saved the world. God has placed us in a world filled with pain and sin and suffering. We are told that we have been born into sin with no hope until He sent Jesus to be the ultimate Saviour of our world. He had a plan and mission for His Son whom we prepare for during this season of Advent. In Psalm 27, we read that King David (a strong and mighty king) does not fear, not because of His great armies, but because God is there to be his strength and light in the darkest of places and situations.
With God watching over and caring for him there is no need to fear or be afraid! Like David, we can also place our faith and comfort in knowing that God is stronger than anything in this world, or any evil in the realms. God is the light shining through the darkest of times and in the darkest of places. Light is the absence of darkness – so where God is, there is only light, and darkness and evil cannot penetrate God’s light.
He is the ultimate power source that does not turn off, fail or get disconnected. Tom Cruise always had issues with his missions, but with God and Jesus there to fight on our behalf we have nothing to fear or be afraid. Live in the light of God as the ultimate power source of your life! Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have come to earth to be my Saviour. You fight all my battles and help me in all situations. Help me to remain connected to you as my ultimate power source. Amen
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8).
Read Psalm 19:1–11
The Sun is the star at the heart of our solar system. The gravity from the Sun holds the solar system together, keeping everything – from the biggest planet we know of in the solar system (Jupiter) to the smallest pieces of debris – in its orbit. The connection and interactions between the Sun and the Earth create the seasons, ocean currents, weather, climate and all life. And … God made this Sun and all the solar system and universe. He created it to provide light and life to the Earth.
The Psalmist David speaks of God’s commands as being radiant. This word usually relates to rays being emitted from the Sun, providing a light that shines and dazzles. The word of God is light to the world that brings life and light to all his people. His commands are clear, pure and enlightening, giving light to our eyes that brings understanding and belief to our hearts. These commands are not just to be followed, but are a source of light that guides us to a life that is pleasing to God.
The Bible verse above from Psalm 19:8 points to the authority of God’s word in the Bible. From the very beginning of creation when God spoke, and it was done, and ‘It was very good’ to God sending his Son for the sake of all humankind, God is the only true authority. God’s word is not only true, but it is right. God’s word has authority because God has authority. God’s way is not only right, but it is the best, as it guides us into the light of truth.
This psalm speaks in picture language to help us understand that everything he does is with us in mind. Take God’s words to your heart, mind and soul and worship the Maker of Heaven and Earth. As we celebrate Advent, we also celebrate God sending his Son to Earth as a baby for our ultimate salvation.
The words of God are a radiant light to guide us!
Creator God, you made the world, and it was perfect. Thank you for your words in the Bible that also bring light to my life. Radiate your words into my heart so that I can serve and please you. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for 19 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark (a pastor), and has three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma – and is a new proud mother-in-law to Brooke. Anne enjoys attending Mainly Music, walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.