Dear Friends

A Response to Sunshine – watch yourselves and pray!

Karin and I have just returned from an enjoyable break, by the sun drenched shores of Lake Balaton, Hungary. One afternoon as we walked among the hundreds of walrus-like tourists thronging the lake shore, I was struck by an anomaly – these myriad sun seekers were doing all they could to NOT look at the sun. Dark glasses, umbrellas, towels, – anything to avoid that fierce light.

I asked myself, “Is it possible that I who seek the Sun of Righteousness and the fierce light of His glorious appearing will on that day be unable to look at His face?” Then we will stand stripped of all covering and face the ultimate test of our honesty in the face of absolute truth and love. How difficult it is to discern our honesty!

Jesus’ instruction to those who wait His coming is “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” A paraphrase could read “As you wait for that glorious day keep taking a good look at yourselves and pray! And don’t be tempted, by the evil one, to excuse yourselves.”

Testimonies Vol. 6 p.410 comments on Jesus’ instructions thus: ‘Watch against the stealthy approach of the enemy, watch against old habits and natural inclinations, lest they assert themselves; force them back, and watch. Watch the thoughts, watch the plans, lest they become self-centred. Watch over the souls whom Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good.’

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, puts it this way: ‘We have to live in the light of the end – not gloomily and fearfully, but trying to bring ourselves relentlessly out of the shadows where we hide from God and ourselves and each other.’ [Tokens of Trust p99]
May God bless us as we enjoy the Sunshine here in wet Scotland.

Llewellyn Edwards