When we met on a sunny fall morning recently, my friend, Nina, offered me a wonderful idea as food for thought.

Nina pointed out that because most of the leaves were off the trees that day, when roadside trees cast shadows on the country roads, the trunks and branches made wide and narrow strips of light and shadow on the pavement for our cars to travel over as we drove by. She said that the light patterns on the roads reminded her of the laser scanners and barcodes used for prices on goods in stores. In her delight in the varying shades of light on the road, she named the patterns "Barcodes of Blessing".

After we parted, I began watching the Barcodes of Blessing as I drove home. I found my thoughts turning to "light", and began to think of Jesus, God's Word. These memorized Scripture passages came to mind:

John 8:12 – Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (NLT)

John 1:1-5 – In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (NLT)

With each Barcode of Blessing I passed on the seventeen-kilometre trip home, I watched the play of light and shadow on the road and sang songs of praise to the Lord. I must say that all the concerns of the day went "poof" while I glorified God as I drove. Those concerns became joyous details and small jobs that brought a sense of accomplishment when I returned my attention to them later.

What reminds you to consider Jesus? He is the light that brings life and joy!

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for all the times when we meet in fellowship with other believers. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we ask You to focus our attention on Him during the everyday moments of our lives, so that we may live in His light, which gives abundant life to us. Amen.

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About the author:

Pat Bell <llebpat@gmail.com>
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
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