My aunt stood in our family’s yard with her arms extended, pointing a digital camera at the neighbor’s faux palm tree. Its synthetic trunk supported unbending, plastic fronds. Their teal color contrasted with the green of the surrounding deciduous trees. Anchored in cement, this Lego-like tree could withstand thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricane-force winds.

When my aunt gave me her camera, I viewed the picture and was surprised. Because of the sunset, the tree was a black silhouette against an orangey-pink sky. The photo appeared to be taken during a tropical vacation because light had altered the tree.

The transformed tree reminded me of the change that occurs in our lives when we confess our sin, accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, and allow his light to shine through us. Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Because of the Light, our lives, once marred by sin, can be transformed and shine in a hopeless world.