The Light of Life

Recently, pop diva Katy Perry won video of the year for her mildly surrealistic video anthem "Firework", a fantasy in which she insinuates a narcissistic solution into the minds of her viewers as an antidote to all of life's pains.

And that is, evidently, the reason that people suffer is because they haven't sufficiently broadcast their total selves to the world. Presumably, this full expression of themselves --a launching of "fireworks" for all to see-- will have the necessary therapeutic effect to get them out of the funk they are in. But, haven't we heard enough of the horror stories of the most over-exposed celebrities to doubt this sort of exhibitionism as any answer to life's trials?

Interestingly enough, about the same time Ms. Perry was releasing the "Firework" video, contemporary Christian band "The Afters" released their song & video "Light Up The Sky":



Similarly, the video has a number of situational images of people experiencing the various pains of life: losing a job, being informed of a terminal illness, the breaking up of a marriage. The Afters similarly use fireworks in their production toward the end of the video to give a dramatic effect to the implied message. But, the band points to another light source. And that is the divine light of God.

The difference in the message is quite profound. Katy points to human efforts to provide our own light in a dark world, with no reason to suppose (other than wishful thinking) that we can light our own path all alone. The Afters point to a light source external to us, and greater than us. A source which "lights up the sky", therefore can light the way for the world.

This general light is all around for those willing to see that there is a God who illumines His creation.

Psalm 19:1(NIV) says:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

And more specifically, God has given a concrete light to His prophets recorded for posterity in the Bible:

Psalm 119:130(NLT)
The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.