On especially tense days in my teen years, I ran a wooded path to my favorite spot on the Mississippi backwaters. Sitting on a fallen tree near the riverbank ~ toes dug into sandy soil and damp leaves ~ I filled notebooks. Yet, even my darkest writings mention a light. I didn’t know what it was and it was always dim, always distant. Something good, just beyond my reach.
Recently, in “Beauty From Ashes” I shared my story about the Christmas food box left on my porch and how it re-lit that glimmer of hope. It inched me toward believing maybe God wasn’t distant. A year later, an unexpected grant paid the $10,000 hospital bill from our son’s cesarean birth. I see the Light again, seeking my attention.
When we look back, perhaps to five minutes ago, we see God show up. In the sunrise and sunset. In the birth, smile, and coo of a baby. In a kind word spoken outside a hospital room. It’s those serendipitous moments that tell us He’s here. He wants to slow our pace, soothe our pain, forgive our sin. The Light leads us to turn away from whatever robs us of our divine design.
Pastor Brian Wangler, says, “Where you are, you are. But you don’t have to stay there. The Light can lead anyone, from any place, to repentance.” We don’t deny our struggle with bad decisions or difficult life situations. We are where we are. But, we can change direction and move forward, rescued from a cycle of sin or discouragement.
We don’t have to stay sad or stressed or stuck in bad attitudes.
When astronomers—the Magi—saw the eastern star, they researched and found Isaiah’s words written seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. He prophesied to God’s people who let a dark culture invade their hearts and minds. “Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever … The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Later at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Matthew records “‘…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.’” God’s ancient promise, fulfilled.
I’m long past my teens when that ray of hope kept me in the fight. It wooed me for twelve more years until I saw no other way to peace. Though my life isn’t without pain, I now know the Light that always shows up. Then as a glimmer, now as my Bright Light. Jesus is my steady hope and abiding peace. Not only within reach, but dwelling with me.
The light of Christ changes everything. I chose to walk with Him twenty-seven years ago and he still rescues me from my dark side. From stress, depression, and bad attitudes … when I let Him.
The promise still holds. When “death casts its shadow,” a Light shines for us.
Can you see it? It shows us The Way of hope and peace and a right relationship with God. It calls us to freedom.
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