Colorado, known for clear skies most days of the year, is inundated by smoke from the California and Oregon forest fires as I draft this. The Air Quality Index, normally well below 50, was over 150 on August 7. The weather app on my watch used a word I’ve never seen it use before: SMOKY. Here are two pictures of the setting sun, the first is in the Denver area. The second, about half an hour later, was made between Sedalia and Palmer Lake on Colorado 105. The small mountains there are only a few miles away and still nearly invisible.

I guess the lesson is that just because the sun is hard to see doesn’t mean it’s not there. Sometimes pollution that’s not even our fault blocks its light.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1.4 – 9, ESV)

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12.35, 36, ESV)