Closer to the Light

Plants—and simply observing them—always seem to put me in a reflective space. I have a special love for peace lilies for many reasons, one of them being that they always seem to teach me something.

The lesson today came from a peace lily my aunts bought me after my mother’s funeral. I have kept it ever since. This peace lily is the biggest I’ve ever owned. At one time it was so full and vibrant, but over time I began to notice the leaves turning brown. I found myself pruning it more often than usual. I also realized it was struggling in the location where I had placed it in my home—it simply wasn’t getting enough light.

Being very intentional about not letting this plant die—because it means so much to me—I decided to take action. I pruned away all of the dead and dying leaves and moved it to another area of my home where it would receive more light. I was also intentional about opening the blinds more frequently to make sure the light could come in.

And what do you know? It’s growing.

There are so many new leaves appearing, and I am almost certain it is growing daily.

I believe we can learn so much about ourselves and our own lives if we take the time to observe what’s happening around us—even if it’s just a plant in your home.

Do you see what I see?

Have you ever been in a season where you felt like there was no growth? Maybe you even felt like you were going backward instead of forward. Maybe you felt like you were dying on the inside. Have you considered where you have positioned yourself? Maybe it’s time to move. Maybe it’s time to make some adjustments. But more importantly—maybe it’s time to get closer to the light.

Who is the light?

Jesus tells us clearly in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

1 Peter 2:9 reminds us of who we are:

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

And in Revelation 22:5, we are given this beautiful promise:

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

God is light.

So often we spend so much time searching for answers or solutions to the stagnation in our lives, when the answer is actually very clear. Jesus is the answer—that’s your answer.

With that being said, let us remember the words of Matthew 6:33 (KJV):

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Sometimes growth doesn’t require more effort—it requires better positioning. Maybe it’s time to move closer to the Light ✨