As we come to Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, I am excited about longer days and more sunshine. It’s no secret that regular exposure to the sun provides health benefits, including boosted levels of serotonin and energy, along with improved sleep.

So – get out in the sun, people! It does our bodies good!

In the same way, as followers of Christ, we know that our souls need regular exposure to the light, as well – to the light of God’s Word and to His son, Jesus.

Of course, light is a major metaphor in the Bible. It’s used over 200 times to describe God, His Word and His Son, Jesus. Some examples…

Light is one of the first things God created (Genesis 1:3), and He declared it ‘good.’

Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"

Psalm 119 famously proclaims, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Light accompanied Jesus’ birth as a bright star appeared in the heavens, drawing wise men from the east. (Matthew 2)

In the opening frame of John’s Gospel, it says… “… (Jesus’) life brought light to everyone.” (John 1:4b)

Jesus also famously says, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

And one of my favorite names for Christ is from Revelation 22, where Jesus refers to Himself as “the bright morning star.”  

We know that our spiritual health requires us to intentionally fill our souls with light that only the Lord can give. But the truth is, especially in the summer months, with new schedules and rhythms, it can be especially challenging to create space.  

On the positive side, the cadence of summer might offer us a chance to begin new habits. May I suggest that, if you don’t already begin your day spending time with the Lord, now – this summer – may be the perfect time to start.

Back to our bodies… I learned recently that, while all sunshine can be beneficial, exposure to sunlight in the first 30 to 60 minutes after waking has been shown to be especially powerful in boosting overall mental and physical health (https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/using-light-for-health) There seems to be something special about morning sunlight.

The same is true when it comes to the health of our souls. There really is something about spending the first part of our day with the Lord that is especially powerful. For me, exposing myself to His light, first-thing, has a way of setting my heart and mind, orienting me around His purposes throughout the day.

It’s a great way to live out Paul’s well-known admonition from Ephesians 5:14…

                  “Wake up, O sleeper, and rise from the dead.

                  And Christ will shine on you.”

I’m excited about summertime, including those morning walks in the sun. But even more, I’m excited we get to spend time every day with Jesus, the bright morning star, the Lord of our lives, the Light of the World.