Venus Watching

Venus, the planet, is in the news for two reasons. 

In the week of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, the transit of Venus will take place. A transit of Venus occurs when Venus passes directly between the sun and earth.  This alignment is rare, coming in pairs that are eight years apart but separated by over a century.  The most recent transit of Venus was a thrilling sight in 2004.  After the June 2012 transit of Venus (the last one in your lifetime), the next such alignment occurs in 2117. So if we want to see this event, we must be prepared.

But another fact, which we could see for ourselves this week, is that Venus, shining this month in the evening sky, can be so bright it can cast its own shadows. 

The light which comes from Venus is not of its own production, but is merely reflected from the sun, the star at the centre of our Solar System.

These observations about Venus remind me of the words of Jesus!

First, in John's Gospel, we read. '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.” (John 8.12) In this respect, Jesus is like the sun in our solar system, the very source of the light by which we live and see. Every day, we can be enjoying this light in our lives.

But Jesus also said, recorded in Matthew's Gospel, '“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.14-16)

The lives that we lead every day are supposed to be so much like the life of Jesus that what others see in us is something which brings glory to our Father. This is a great challenge to us, but presumably, Jesus takes into account that we can only be like this if we trust Him to make a difference in our lives.

Hearing these words from Jesus takes me back to my basic trust in Him. Today, am I prepared to live for Him, or will I live for myself? Will people see Jesus in me, or will people just see me?

How will you answer those challenges?
Best wishes,

Richard