Shine as Lights

Koi Ponds are fascinating little worlds of light, color and mystery. Often the surface of the pond is decorated with beautiful water lilies, popping their colorful heads above the dark surface of the water. The sight may draw you in, encouraging you to come closer, to look deeper.

Lilies, by Lori DeNicola

Once close to the pond you may see reflections of objects near you, or patterns of light, flickering across the surface of the water. After enjoying the beauty of the flowers, and while sorting out the reflections of your surroundings, flashes of color below the surface of the water may capture your attention...Koi Fish swimming gracefully by in every bright color and unique pattern!

Koi, by Lori DeNicola

Shine, by Lori DeNicola

The Edge, by Lori DeNicola

When the lighting is just so, the water seems to disappear, leaving the fish floating in a chasm of inky blackness, somewhere between the earth and sky.  Or the water may appear to be on fire, the reflection of the sunshine bouncing off of a nearby wall! The fish move past the edge of their world, oblivious to our world on the other side of the edge; they are unable to see all that you or I can see in and beyond this small pond.

In his letter, now known as the book of Philippians in the New Testament, 

the Apostle Paul addresses the believers in the town of Philippi:

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 

that you may become blameless and harmless, 

children of God without fault 

in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 

among whom you shine as lights in the world,

 holding fast the word of life, 

so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ 

that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13-16‬ ‭

The koi fish are placed into the pond by the landscape architect in order to bring joy and pleasure to those who have come near, to draw the viewer deeper into the beauty and mystery of the pond. You and I have been placed into the time and place in which we find ourselves by our Creator, God Himself. Here we are, God working in us both to do His will and for His good pleasure!  His desire is that we would shine as lights in this dark world.  

"How do I shine as a light?" you may wonder.  

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 

that you may become blameless and harmless, 

children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation...

In this way our light will be attractive to others, inviting them to come and explore the Bible, and to discover Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. Through dark times and bright days be sure to hold fast to God, remembering that he is working His will in you, and that His view is much bigger than yours!  

Shine as lights to the world around you

 so that others may come to know and rejoice in Christ our Savior! 

Lily Pond, by Lori DeNicola