A Song for the Light of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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

Across the earth, each day begins with a song for the Light of the World. The birds have been commanded and commissioned to announce the joyful news that the Light of the World has come.

In Kenya, birds sing a ballad that breaks the dawn as lions, zebras, and giraffes pause to welcome a new day.

Bells of birdsong ring over Italy heralding sunrise.

As deep violet night gives way to morning light in Tunisia, birds crescendo over the ancient Roman ruins of Carthage.

In Egypt, birds dance across the sky to the notes of their own song while the orange sun rises to her throne over desert oases.

Sparrows sing the Good News to their children as terracotta light washes over the ancient city walls of Morocco.

In Lebanon, a feathered orchestra carries morning light on its wings over the Mediterranean.

The birds serenade the sun in Jordan as it spreads buttery light over Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw a glimpse of the Promised Land before his death.

Free of charge, the Song for the Light of the World can be heard every day at a sunrise near you. Every morning in every place on earth, the birds sing at the precise moment darkness dissolves into faithful, beautiful Light.

This morning, I was awakened by their song. Tired from a long season of hard work, I wanted to sleep late. But what my ears heard at sunrise caused my spirit to rise to wakefulness and worship. Something new caught my attention.

As the daily crescendo fell to silence, one solitary song remained. One bird took her solo place and continued to sing even as the others left the celestial stage.

On she sang as the morning grew brighter. 

I finally rose and went to the window, wondering if I might see this persistent little optimist. All I could see was a sky blanketed in gray. Yet she sang as if to me. To you.

Keep singing today, little bird.

After a little while, another song joined her, low and steady. The low notes of the dove intermingled with her melody, anchoring the day.

I rose with new strength to face the day, lifted by praise, anchored by peace.

Keep singing today, little bird. Let your heart be anchored by the quiet tones of peace. Be encouraged that throughout the earth, every day, in every place, light bursts forth from darkness as God’s creatures sing His praises. Praise continues regardless of wars, broken hearts, evil, exhaustion, disappointment, injustice, and the heaviness of humanity. The Lord has commanded the Light to demolish the darkness every single day and it will not fail.

Lord, make me your little optimist today, singing as light rises ever brighter over darkness. Amen.

@audreycfrank

Practice:

Set your alarm for sunrise one day this week and enjoy the concert with your favorite morning drink. Be still and know that the Light of the World overcomes darkness every day. Write a prayer to the Lord about some area of darkness you will trust Him to overcome with Light.