Chemist4Christ

Illuminate

Today I would like to discuss the processes of absorption and emission and how this pertains to our role as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order for a molecule to emit light, photons must first be absorbed. These absorbed photons must have at least enough energy to excite an electron from a ground-state to an excited-state. In other words, the photons must possess more energy than the band gap of the material.

When this occurs, the electron will lose energy and go back to the ground-state through one of several different mechanisms. The electrons can first relax vibrationally (IVR) or go through intersystem crossing (a forbidden process) to a triplet state. The excitation of the electron happens by absorption of a photon of the right energy. The emission processes are called fluorescence and phosphorescence.

When we first come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Jesus is the true light and the Word of God that illuminates all the dark places in our hearts. The book of John clearly states this. [Jhn 1:1-5 KJV] 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The world did not even recognize that he was the light of the world. Again we see further down a few verses in the book of John: [Jhn 1:9 KJV] 9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Furthermore, not only is Jesus Christ the Light of the world, but we too are called to walk in the light as he is in the light. [1Jo 1:5-7 KJV] 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. This means that our light must shine. In order for our light to shine, we must let the Holy Spirit work in our hearts and absorb the word of God. Through submission to the word of God and the Holy Spirit, we can be cleansed from our sin and walk in the light with Jesus Christ. However, this is not all we are called to do.

Just like the emission process, once we have knowledge of the truth, we are to shine before others to lead them to the truth as well. [Eph 5:8-14 KJV] 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Jesus also calls us to shine our light before men that they might know God. [Mat 5:14-16 KJV] 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. As we obey God’s instructions for our lives we will love God and love others around us also. Through our actions and words we can shine and fluoresce the light that is already in us through the Holy Spirit.