What I didn't realize was how much I
would miss walking in the light. I got the same amount of exercise as
other mornings, however, I just didn't enjoy it as much. I couldn't see
the sun rising over the houses as I began my walk. I missed watching all my
little animal friends. Yep, my morning walks just might make me an animal
liker yet. (Notice I didn't say animal lover...) No one else was
out. I didn't even get to see the dog in the raincoat this morning
because I was out too early.
But I did get to hear the raindrops
hit my hood to remind me that God is raining down blessings on me. In
fact, I even opened my palms to receive some raindrop blessings. I was
thankful that I got to exercise. And I knew that the sun would come up
soon, even though I couldn't see it. And sure enough, the sun rose just
as it did every other morning.
Have you ever walked in
darkness? Have you ever felt alone? Isolated? Searching for
light, but not seeing any on the horizon? I know I have! It's
a tough place to be. But just like we know that the sun rises in the east
each morning, we can trust that God will guide us through the darkness of our
circumstances into light. Check out these verses:
You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord
turns my darkness into light
He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my
God turns my darkness into light.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Psalm 139:11-12
If I say, “Surely the darkness
will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not
be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to
you.
I have come into the world as a light,
so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Did you find some encouragement in these verses? I sure hope so! But I also realize that you might not even see the slightest
ray of sunshine in your life right now, and these verses just leave you feeling worse. Maybe you
feel like the darkness is so thick that you are completely out of reach…
that not even the slightest sunbeam could find you. Remember that God has not abandoned you. In fact, Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to: "Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your
God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake
you." Will you choose to believe
this? Will you put Proverbs 3:5-6 into
practice? It says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Trusting God can be so tough in the darkness. But you can do it. You may have to make a moment by moment
decision to trust Jesus. You may even
need to say "I trust you, Jesus" out loud… over and over… whenever the darkness seems to cover
you. And maybe you need to hear 1 Peter
2:9 right now:
But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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