Opalite

The transforming light of the Spirit affects all parts of my life.

     Opalite is a type of man-made glass which displays an effect called opalescence. It is also called argenon, sea opal, opal moonstone, and crystal opal, although it mostly has no relation to either moonstone or opal. This beautiful synthetic stone originates from Asia, and sometimes is found naturally as well, as lower quality forms of opal, formed from silica and water.

     As light shines through opalite, it glows in every color of the rainbow, shifting -- transforming -- a new light at every angle. Different lightings and backgrounds will change how the stone appears every time you look at it. Opalite is bright, pure, and colorful, like the fresh petals of young flowers in the spring.

     Like these flowers, our souls die down in the hard winter of growing older. Once we were young and joyful, but we live in a world of darkness and sin, and it is impossible to grow up without being touched by that dark shade surrounding us. But the saving grace of Yahweh transforms us. Accepting Him into our hearts, and accepting His free gift of redemption, all of our sin is washed away from our records and we are made pure.

     "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

     "The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Matthew 4:16

     When the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and cleanses us, we are filled with eternal life. We are made to be like the young, budding flowers in the spring, bright and pure, and as though never touched by the darkness of our past. We are made like a child again, following Him with blind trust and childlike faith, just like it says in John 20:29: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

     This great and incomprehensible gift that's been given to us is so breathtaking that we couldn't possibly repay Him. All we can do is worship Him. Our prayers and praise, our love of Him and desire to draw close to Him -- those are our sacrifices, not incense or items set on an altar. Our altar is our life, and our temple, our sacred space, is our body. Living in mindfulness of what God would want us to do, and spreading His Word so that others can be so joyful, is how we honor Him in our lives, for we are always in His presence and we strive to not disappoint Him. Even if we do mess up, though, all we need to do is come to Him and apologize, and He forgives us, because He is the essence of love and goodness. He is the light of pure life that shines through us, transforming us, just like the colors in opalite.

     If you haven't yet accepted the Lord's gift of redemption and spiritual purification, I encourage you to consider it seriously. Your life will be radically changed, even if slowly.