The Light in Darkness

Darkness encamps around us.  The earth is moaning full of destruction, disease, and death. 

Hamas and Israel war and Palestinians and Israelis die, ISIS beheads children and buries people alive, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians barely survive in refugee camps, others journey through the desert or hole up on the top of a mountain in pursuit of safety, airplanes are blown out of the sky, Russia is stealing land from Ukraine and more death, more destruction and then Ebola brings Africans to death’s door and the list goes on of the number of people around the world who need to know they are not forgotten, who need a life-line, who need a rescuer.

My heart aches and I watch and I pray.

As I pray, with few words because what does one really say when death and destruction abound, I hear these words over and over again…

The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1: 5

In the midst of all the evil, the darkness, God’s goodness, His light, is there even when it is difficult to see.  Sometimes His light seems small or comes in unexpected ways or in unexpected places.  You know, Jesus, the light of the world, was just a glimmer when he first arrived in Mary’s womb.

When evil encamps and surrounds we can take heart because Jesus is present. 

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.


I will strengthen you and help you.
    

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

“See, all your angry enemies lie there,
 confused and humiliated.
Anyone who opposes you will die 
and come to nothing.

You will look in vain
 for those who tried to conquer you.
 Those who attack you
will come to nothing.

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob,
don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you.


I am the Lord, your Redeemer.

I am the Holy One of Israel. 

Isaiah 41:10-14

When evil seems to be prevailing in this perpetual battle of good versus evil, we can be encouraged because He who is in us and all around us is greater than he who is in the world. This is also when we need to walk by faith.  And faith comes by hearing, hearing the word.  And what I hear from the word of God is He wins.  He has the victory.

In the darkness I see light. 

This summer in the mountains of Ukraine teenagers saw the light at English and music camps.  They found hope in the darkness.  They found their rescuer.  They know they are not forgotten.  And they have a reason to sing.

Fusion New Life Lviv's Follow-Up Culmination JV Upside Down 2014 from KristineLynn Williams on Vimeo.

This video may not go viral on You Tube, but the news of these young people believing in Jesus makes Heavenly Headlines.

May I encourage you that as we pray for the persecuted, displaced, dying and sick, may we pray that all of us will see His light shining through the darkness?


*Friends, Ben and Kristy Williams, are seeing God do a great work in the young people of Ukraine.  You can see more light at www.benandkristy.com

There's Something Scary

"Mama, there is something scary in here," he says, which has become his nightly declaration.

I'm not sure if he truly is scared or if this is one of his bedtime procrastination techniques, of which he has many.  Regardless of his motivations,  I must teach him what to do when he is afraid.

"What do you say when you are scared?" I ask.

"I don't know," he replies.

"You do know.  You say Jesus.  Go ahead say Jesus."

"I don't know how."

"Yes you do.  Just repeat after me. I'm not afraid...because Jesus protects me...He is with me...Jesus."

As he repeats these words he begins to smile and giggle a little.  When he finishes he sighs, ahhh.  And it appears that all the fear is gone.

What struck me during this conversation was when he said I don't know how.  I think to myself, what do you mean you don't know how to say Jesus?  You can pronounce his name.  I have heard you.

I think of my own fearful moments.  I have been told that when I am frightened I should call on the name of Jesus.  Just say his name.  Yet, in the moment I'm not sure I know how.  It becomes difficult to say his name.  It seems weird to just call out his name even in the privacy of my own home.  There is power in his name and I am reluctant to wield my weapon.  I am reluctant to speak his words.

When I am fearful I must hear my father's words,

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

I must remember that he has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

I must remember that when I ask the Lord, he hears me, and delivers me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4)

Yes, when I pray, when I call out, just like I instructed Quinn to do, he frees me from all my fears.  And I can begin to giggle and breath easy in the peace that he gives.

A side note:

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On the Treadmill

They say that fear is paralyzing.  I’m not sure who “they” are, but I think I disagree with” they.” Recently, I was contemplating making some changes in my life and as I was processing I kept saying “what if.”  Not just “what if”, rather, “But, what if”.  What a combination! “But” to signify my excuse and “what if” to signify my fear.  As I mulled over the possible change, I considered all my fears.   So began my work out on the treadmill powered by “but” and “what if.”  My fear wasn’t paralyzing me.  When I think of being paralyzed I think of being motionless.  My fear was moving me.  It was driving me crazy, and my husband was reluctantly along for the ride.  On this treadmill my mind was racing with all my questions and possible scenarios for the future.  Just like when working out on a treadmill, when I run with fear, I get tired but I have not gotten anywhere. 

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. -Romans 8:15

I don’t want to be a slave to the treadmill of “but” and “what if”; I want to get somewhere.  I want to accept the Spirit of sonship that I have been given and take my father’s hand to follow his lead.  I want to practice what my father says in Matthew 6:34: 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

I also want to walk the path of Proverbs 3: 5-6:

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
      do not depend on your own understanding.
  Seek his will in all you do,
      and he will show you which path to take.

I will leave you with Romans 8:15 as is stated in The Message. 

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"

So I say, Meredith, get off the treadmill and get into the race.

What’s next, Papa?!