Letting in the Light

At Ellel Glyndley Manor we have an outdoor swimming pool and every year when the weather turns inclement it is closed for the winter and covered over to prevent leaves and other things getting in and fouling the water. Each spring the pool is prepared again for opening, and, as I work in an office two floors up that looks out over the pool, I love this time of year.

It never ceases to amaze me, as the dark green cover comes off the pool, even at this stage, just how much light is reflected into the office from the water’s surface. The water is often quite green looking and leaves have found their way in despite the cover, so the whole thing looks less than inviting. But then our team begins the clean up. This year they drained the pool to do essential maintenance, and as the murky waters subsided, from my vantage point, the walls of the pool looked perfectly clean - until the pressure washer was applied. What a contrast the washing with water created. The washed areas look bright and light and the unwashed… well lets just say they looked functional but not glorious.

The team have also been working on things I can’t see, lifting paving slabs and doing things with pipes, replacing little mosaic tiles so people won’t harm themselves on the pool’s edges. And, when the water goes in, there’ll be work to be done with chemicals, along with the daily job of maintenance, such as scooping out leaves.

As I watched this process it made me wonder if we shut things down and cover things up, to try and protect areas of our lives in the ‘winter’ seasons. It can be a challenge to lift that cover and see what’s underneath, but the potential is amazing. Immediately there’s more light, things that are wrong can be seen and, with loving help, cleansing and healing can follow and we can be restored to full and glorious function, reflecting more and more of our Jesus. Just as the process of restoring the pool takes some time, so may our restoration. We may need cleaning out a bit and some small repairs made, because we look functional, but not yet glorious. We may also need a Holy Spirit pressure wash or some under ground pipe work. Jesus will have the best plan for us. Of course good maintenance will help to keep us on track, and it’s better if we don’t shut down every ‘winter.’ Talking with Jesus every day, fellowship with other believers, discipleship and being part of a congregation will all help in our daily maintenance. That way we’ll live in the light and reflect Jesus. As the apostle Paul writes, ‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light’ (Ephesians 5:8).

Prayer: Father God, thank You that Jesus is more determined than I am to see me live in the fullness of all He’s created me to be. Thank You for His light that shines into the darkest places bringing me healing. I chose to let His light shine in my life, so I can shine more in Him. Amen.