It's The Contrast
The flight back home was going to be delayed. I don’t like flying to begin with, but this was a work trip. I had been invited to the AP conference, and all expenses were generously covered. How could I say no?
I wasn’t so sure when the destination was announced: Las Vegas. After all, I had NEVER ventured there and always thought a “good Christian” might struggle to find wholesome recreation. I can’t remember the specifics, but that message had been emblazoned on my soul since childhood as an absolute.
I digress.
When the temperature soared to about 112 degrees, the airport made safety adjustments that required allowing the tarmac to cool off. Industrial-size misting fans lined the streets because this heat was clearly expected. I should have been born in Alaska, I thought. My happy place is generally found below 70 degrees, despite my South Florida roots. Thankfully, there were many air-conditioned spaces where I could duck in during that trip—because the contrast made all the difference.
God graciously allowed me many opportunities to share with others, and spiritual food was just waiting for the conversational table to be set. In fact, casinos provided the backdrop for me to hear words of direction and hope from a colleague; she was tuned in to exactly the frequency I needed.
There is a clear contrast between light and darkness—and it has nothing to do with the setting. As John 1:5 reminds us, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." We are here to add just a little bit of salt to this world so that others will realize their need for water that satisfies.
When you think about it, contrast is what life is all about!
During seasons of war, we yearn for peaceful times.
When there is famine, we wish for abundance.
It is the vast chasm left by death that makes life so much more precious.
When the rhetoric of our leaders becomes divisive, we hope for someone who can mediate and unite us once again.
On the most sweltering summer day, there is nothing better than a lazy river to refresh us.
As I write this, I think of cold plunge therapy and the many people who swear by its health benefits despite the initial shock and discomfort. Why? You guessed it: THE CONTRAST.
I often read blog articles about minimalism and long to adopt some of those principles in my own life. Yet, I find myself struggling to let go of the very things that complicate my days and hold me back from living clutter-free. However, when we become aware of an area where God wants to grow us, we begin to see more clearly because light has been introduced; the shadows begin to fade into the distance.
It is because of this contrast that I want to live with intention. Don’t you?
We live in a world where noise constantly bombards us, yet the quiet is where we are nourished—a secret place where seeds begin to germinate. It is in that quiet place that we find fellowship and great strength. Consider this: if there were no imitation, we might never fully appreciate the value of genuine treasures. The most skilled artists contrast many shades and colors to showcase the true beauty of their subject.
And so, today, I am grateful for the storms—without them, I might have taken serenity for granted.
This autumn, as you sip your pumpkin spice latte, I hope you have a chance to see the leaves changing (this South Florida resident certainly does not!).
"The real beauty of the season is that falling leaves teach us the art of sacred release—a vivid reminder that trusting God's timing looks less like losing control and more like stepping into brilliant grace."
And that contrast brings a smile! May your heart find rest in the stillness, knowing the same hands that calm the wind are holding tomorrow.
Join the Conversation
Where in your life are you noticing "the contrast" right now? Are you learning to see grace in a difficult season? Share your thoughts or a prayer request in the comments below—I’d love to connect with you!
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