Light

SAD is a defined depression – Seasonal Affective Disorder. For centuries authors have used winter in their word pictures of sadness and depression. With SAD, a person may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. SAD appears to be related to light, has a higher rate of incidence in northern latitudes and even cloud cover may be related. SAD is found in otherwise mentally healthy individuals.

It is interesting to find such a disorder directly related to the sun, which has been the object of worship throughout history. Whether it was the Egyptian barge for Ra or the Greek chariot for Helios. Do not think this is confined to western culture – Chinese and Hindu mythologies include sun personifications, evidenced by references to Surya.

Medical discoveries of a relationship between sunburns and cancer has barely slowed the tanning along our own beaches as people enjoy their time in the sun.

But it has not always been so – and shall not always be.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3 KJV)

That light was created by God for mankind. It was necessary – and remains necessary – for this earth to function. Without the full benefit of our sun, life on this planet would not exist. Yet it does not provide that same benefit for other planets in this solar system. We are situated “just right.”

There will come a time when that is not true. It has been foretold, and should not be ignored. The replacement, though, is simply awesome:

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23 KJV)

That’s that same Lamb of God of whom it is written:

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29b KJV)

The same Lamb of God who cried over Jerusalem:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37 KJV)

The same Lamb of God who has been and will be the true light:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

And some day will be our only light:

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5 KJV)