Transcriptional Typing? - May 4, 2009

Good Monday morning!  This morning, I am coming to you from a voice transcription program.  A question was asked of me in a new Bible study lesson.  I was asked to list all the sources of light that I could recall.  At first this seems rather simple.  We can easily recall: flashlights, night lights, electric lights, nuclear reactions, fire, fish that glow, some chemical reactions, and of course, the sun and stars.  Visible light is our friend in this world; we see better in the daytime because of the way our eyes were designed.  During the night we seek sources of artificial light to make it as much like the daytime light as we can.  However, when it is truly dark, and we are without sources of artificial light.  We are often afraid and lost.

As is usually the case in my Bible studies, the author would like to make a point about the light of Jesus.  The question that usually comes up is: how do we see the light of Jesus?the secular person might very well.  Look for something like visible light.  After all, the Bible says they can read that the light shines in the darkness.  It would be easy to ask the question: If Jesus' light shines in the darkness, why do I still walk into telephone poles when trying to walk in darkness? if the light of Jesus doesn't help us to walk safely when it is dark out, what good is it?

In the natural world, we think first of the visible light that helps us so much.  The light that Jesus is and speaks of, is the light we need to see him. A physical journey into night requires a flashlight or candle to help us see the way. In the same way, a spiritual journey requires a light to help us see the way to Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and he is the light that shines upon himself.  Our spiritual journey begins with salvation.  We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, but in order to know him more, we need a light in the darkness. Along with that light, we also need a guide.  Imagine having a flashlight and setting out on a journey through the woods.  The flashlight shows you the woods, but you have no idea which direction to take. In every direction, all you see are trees; one looking very much like all of the others. Without a guide, you would not know where the destination lies. The same thing goes in our spiritual journey. Not only does Jesus provide the light to make the journey, he also walks with us, showing us the way to himself.

Wow, that was a bit painful. I feel a bit like Paul now: With my own hands I type this last part. My thought to speaking doesn't work quite as well as my thought to typing. I have been typing since my sophomore typing class way back... we'll just say a long time ago. I am only just beginning the voice transcription method, which will require more practice. 

Have a wonderful Monday in Christ Jesus!

Bucky