Light in the Darkness
Last year was one of many challenges for my husband and me. On January 2nd, my maternal grandmother went into the hospital, and she passed away on February 12th. This was a hard time for my mother, and I handled the bulk of my grandmother’s estate work. In early April, My husband was rushed to the hospital and had two stints placed near his heart. His recovery required a complete overhaul of our diet and lifestyle. In May my mother developed shingles that led to her complete physical breakdown later in the Summer, and she was placed in assisted living for two months while recuperating. During the time she was in rehab, I oversaw the kitchen renovation that she had embarked upon just prior to being hospitalized. We moved her back home in early November. In December I started a new job which required us to relocate.
This morning as we were preparing to watch the live stream of our church service, my husband asked if I remembered we had prayed for 2020 to be a more quiet and peaceful year. My immediate response to him was, “Hasn’t it been?”
Now I know that there has been a great deal of turmoil in our world this year, and we are currently in a political and economic crisis perpetrated by the fear of a global health issue. I had started a new job on December 30th, and we found a new home 30 miles away, packed up a house I’d lived in for 12 years and moved in late February. By late March things were changing daily as cities and counties were responding to COVID 19 information from healthcare organizations and government officials, and I found myself working from home.
Spending all day everyday in my beautiful new home, working from the antique table that had belonged to my father’s great aunt, and being a few steps away from the kitchen and the laundry room. And for those morning and late afternoon breaks, down a flight of stairs to sit in the swing and watch the wildlife cavort among the Spring foliage. For me, I’ve been given a gift that likely could not have occurred in other circumstances.
Has 2020 been quieter and more peaceful? On the surface maybe not, but for me, on the inside, I’ve been able to refresh, reflect, and ponder the miracle of God’s grace and mercy in a fallen world. I’ve been encouraged to be more intentional in relating to people because I can’t rely on “seeing them next week at church.” Finding myself even more grateful for the technology that enables me to see and communicate with those I love.
From my perspective, we’ve all been given a gift. The kind that makes you re-evaluate what matters. The kind that makes you build different muscles to meet new demands and constraints with confidence. The kind that pushes you into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus told His disciples, “…you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
He also told them in John 13:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I know He has overcome the world because in times of uncertainty He can convince my heart of peace, and in times of turmoil and chaos He can encourage my heart with hope. In darkest times, His light is bright, and the radiance of His face is toward me.
Where do you see the light of His life in yours? Take some time this week to ponder where and how you’ve witnessed His light dispel the darkness.
Lord, even when I don’t see it or feel it, You are working. You are always working all these things together for good to those who love You and are the called according to Your purpose (Rom 8:28). I know You have called me. I know you love me. I know you designed me to be a vessel through which Your love flows to the world around me. Let the light of Your life and the hope of Your promises shine, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Until next week, see His light shine in the darkness around you.