“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” 

( John 8:12 ESV)

Recently, I took my daughter to school to save her the “long” walk with her backpack and kit. It’s not far.  The car has an electric heater in the windscreen that clears away the frost, which is great on a frosty morning.  On the way home, driving against the long queue of traffic I noticed a car where I could not see the driver’s face.  The screen was still covered all over in opaque frost.  This is a bit daft – driving without the ability to see.  I wondered how they had managed to get as far as they had without seeing clearly what was in front of them.  Presumably, like me they had not travelled far!  I consoled myself with the thought of the car stuck in the queue: they were not able to go faster than walking pace! 

We too rush on ahead sometimes to get the job done without taking the time to remove the things that obstruct our view and walk with God.  Things get in the way. 

Cleaning our heart and mind’s window is a continual process which never goes away.  I seek never to forsake my God as we are sorely tempted to do in the world’s draw of recognition, success, opposition, hurt, illness and conquest: it obscures my vision. 

Thank God for the rational part of our brain that reminds us of the folly of not taking the time to clear our thoughts before God before stepping out into the day ahead.  Prayer is a wonderful tool against the Devil, desire, folly and temptation from whatever quarter. 

Here’s the irony/paradox. As and when I do bother to read the Bible – clean the heart’s windscreen – I find that I am refreshed and de-stressed by the real presence of the Holy Spirit that lifts us up once more and cleanses our souls implanting, reminding us of Truth, so that the “Yes” to God outshines, outweighs any other voices and I have a clearer vision of the day ahead.  His light shines through to me and I can see His path for me more clearly.

Cleaning our life’s windscreen to let us see clearly; taking time before we start the day’s journeying, means we can move forward faster than a walking pace! Through facing up to God, praising and being thankful for who we are, what we have taken for granted, what we are called to do, we find out where our faith really lies and we can see the way ahead more clearly!

Prayer: LORD, thank you for saving us, cleaning the coldness of our vision.  Let Your Light shine in to warn and warm us, clearing our thoughts and driving us forwards.  May we shine outwards, by the Grace of God, as we go with you into the day ahead, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Roderick Marshall