In ancient times worship of the sun was common. Humanity still felt that in the light of the sun streamed the activity of spiritual beings to earth. And what such gave life and form to everything in nature was the substance of love, clad in the outward light of the sun as in a garment.

Today we can once again come to the insight that the light of the sun is much more than just an outward, physical process. Everything takes its life from the sun. We take our life from the sun. Even our souls are lifted by it. And what we can experience in the light is the creative power of the word, streaming to earth – we can experience the love of Christ to all earthly being.

Yet, we are not depended on the sun to experience the love of Christ. He is involved in our lives in much deeper and intimate ways. The sun may hide its face, darkness may fall, but Christ’s love will persist.

Thousands of years ago Moses experienced the power of his God in thunder and in lightening, in smoke and fire and in the shaking of the mountain.

A long time after that, when the prophet Elijah came to the same place where Moses had had his experience, God revealed Himself in a very different way:

“He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Ultimately, we cannot find God on the outside. He is in us. His voice speaks to us in the voice of silence as it spoke to Elijah. We may hear that voice, wherever we go or however we find ourselves – in the light of the sun or in darkness. In sadness or in joy. It speaks to our heart, carrying with it the power of the word, the substance of Christ’s love.

Contemplation by Rev. Inken Contreras