Essay 1

Light is a profound theme throughout the history of relationship between humans and God. What exactly does light mean? In the Torah, the Gospels of the New Testament, and the Quran, light is the guidance in truth of God. The concept of light comforts humans, in that light removes fear of unkown darkness. In Judism the light is known through the Torah,

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; from whom shall I be frightened? (PS 27:1)

Jesus in the Gospel of John states that he is “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ( Jn 8:12 )

In the Quran , “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.” and “Light upon light, Allah guides unto His Light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth similitudes for mankind, and Allah is All-Aware of all things.” (Sura An-Nur 35)

The three major religions of the world all agree, that light is life. So, here we are today with major differences in communities, countries and churches, looking at others and choosing from darkness to restrict the God given life of light that represents God’s gift of salvation. In order for me to be saved I must walk in God’s light with authentic autonomy of all created human persons in the image of God.

I must ask, am I entitled to complete autonomy of personhood as offered through the Light of God as a woman? By my studies of God I am surely entitled. By my relationship with God, I am standing in the light and only I have autonomy over my body, my thoughts, and my relationship with others. By giving free will to all of humanity God has chosen to reign through life giving light. Light is the path of following God’s gift of reason, thought and salvation.

Note by Theowoman: this is the first essay in a series I am writing on Light as life. I hope it prompts you to think and pray about how you see light and how it has given you life.