By Lois Hillman of Lee’s Summit, Missouri USA
So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God…
Colorado is a beautiful, wondrous state, and when I was growing up in Denver, my family was eager to share the special mountain sites and museums with visitors and friends. We would take short trips into the Rockies to explore or visit a unique museum or wander through the famous Denver Zoo.
As a child, one of my favorite places was Denver City Park which houses the zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. While visiting the museum, I was allowed to roam the rooms alone as long as I was on the same floor level as the group. I would often go to the exhibit where lots of polar bears were shown in their natural habitat. Every so often the scene would change from a natural look to a blue hazy-like ambience causing me to be in a mesmerized state. When the natural lights returned, I’d wait in anticipation for the blue lights to come back on—my parents always knew where to find me on that floor.
But my all-time favorite floor was where they had the rock display. There was a section where we entered to see a display of many kinds of rocks—to my child eyes they all looked the same—THEN the magic happened! The blacklight came on and those rocks—those grayish rocks that looked the same moments before—had transformed into the most beautiful illuminating colors and seemed to have many different levels of depth to them. My heart would soar at the absolute joy I felt. Once again, as on the third floor—my parents knew exactly where to find me.
As I am writing this, I am feeling that same excited joy within me that I had as a child and tears have filled my eyes. As a child, this neon-like light transformation was thrilling—to me it seemed to be magic. As an adult, I'm seeing this transformation as a lesson for us on how we need to see others. God sees each one of us as that blacklight saw those rocks. He sees our hearts and knows of the beauty in each one. He knows our purpose, our passion, our fears, our weaknesses, our strengths, our potential. He loves us unconditionally, accepting us as we are, valuing us beyond measure. He sees us as beautiful and valuable. We are made in His image so it makes sense to me that we need to see others as He sees us.
We need to see beyond the norms of hate-filled bias or what society says is acceptable. We need to see the worth of all persons without judgement of who WE think they should be but through the eyes of Christ who only sees beauty and love.
Prayer Phrase
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Spiritual Practice
Light
Close your eyes and become centered with your breath. As you breathe gently in and out, reflect on the statement, “The light of God is in all things.” The light has a bright, soft beauty and radiates God’s healing love. The light of God reaches you and permeates you with a deep sense of peace. Rest in the light as it surrounds and fills you. Thank God that you live in God’s light, and it lives in you.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.