Light pollution

On the radio, they spoke of the light pollution in Vienna. Somehow, I didn't really understand what this word meant. Do they want to clean the street lamps? No, of course not, that was a joke. It concerns light saving and taking it where it is actually necessary. In a big city it is normal that a lot of light is required. Not only the lights are lit up, but many points of interest and churches are illuminated by floodlights. There are a great many in Vienna, but fundamentally this affects every major city. Not only polluted air, but also too much light, is detrimental to people's health. People can't revive because bright lights shine into their bedrooms every night. Now they have decided that the old polygonal street-lights are to be replaced with new ones. The light is shielded upwards to only illuminate that region where it is necessary. They want to meet people's needs and give them the necessary darkness which they require to obtain a good nights sleep.

Once again the proverb, too much is unhealthy, is a proven fact. Whilst I was thinking about the bad light, the parable of light from the Gospel of Luke sprung to mind.

Luke 11:33-36 “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.''

Jesus told us about a Light of which we can never get enough. A Light which protects us from the atrocious darkness. He advised us to preserve this Light, so that we ourselves will shine like lamps. He Himself is this Light, as He says of Himself that He is the Light of the world. (John 8:12) With Him we are fully equipped so that we will not dwell in darkness. I find it interesting that, as people, we need darkness in order to be rejuvenated, but as a child of God we need Light in order to remain healthy. When we, as people, protect our health from too much brightness, we must ensure that our inner Light does not diminish. It is important to pay attention to what we do. What occupies our time? Which movies are we watching, which books, magazines are we reading? Do we glorify God with that which we do in our spare time? How much time do we spend with God, in reading the Bible and praying?

Let's change the saying “too much is unhealthy” to “too little is unhealthy” and take heed of Jesus' advice to remain in the shining Light. Let's not allow our Lights to go out! Amen

Be sincerely blessed, yours

Rosemarie Schauer