The light always cuts through the darkness

I have been meeting with a group of men on Fridays for over 5 years. They have been examples of people I wrote about last week in https://thankfulinallthings.com/is-god-calling-you-to-be-a-bridge-builder/. Folks who become bridges or those who provide support to those being a bridge to others needing help getting through a challenge or out of a difficult place. These Friday guys have been that for me and for each other. This past week one of them shared how he was really struggling. He was in what was a very dark place. What happened next was remarkable. In a matter of less than an hour, He went from a man in tears, visibly in anguish, to his head nodding and his face breaking into a smile. Why? The struggle was still real and upon him but what was different was he was reminded of God’s love for him by those in the meeting. Guys shined light into his darkness which allowed his spirit to turn its back on despair and move toward the hope that God promises no matter what the adversity.

You see. (Pardon the pun ?) The light will always defeat the darkness. We just need to look for it. Think for a moment, you are lost in a vast space, so dark, that you can’t see your hand in front of your face. You call out for help and someone far way has a little pin light which they shine your way. No matter how dark, that light cuts through it and leads you to safety. That is what happened Friday morning. He could have chosen not to show up allowing himself to be defeated by his circumstances. Instead, he chose to join in and call out for help. One by one, individuals shared how they had faced the darkness themselves in their lives. It was beautiful to watch , “you are not alone”, being spoken making it clear there was a way out. They led their brother out of that very dark place.; to a mindset of hope where, even though the storm was still raging, he knew God was allowing this group we call “knuckleheads” to build a bridge. A bridge that would lead him out of the darkness and into the light. This poem by Annie Johnson Flint from Streams in the Desert describes it much more beautifully.

“Deep the waves may be and cold

But Jehovah is our refuge.

And His promise is our hold;

For the Lord Himself hath said it,

He, the faithful God and true:

”When thou comest to the waters 

Thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH.”

So many people shined their lights for Dottie and me to walk toward in the darkest of places as I dealt with and recovered from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Having gone through it, I now have a deep desire to be that light of hope for others. Friday morning, once again, showed me it does make a difference which allows me and my hopeful friend be “Thankful in all Things”

If you are in a dark place of despair, remember and have hope in the promise that God is with you. If you have successfully navigated through a challenging time, now it is your turn to shine the light for someone else to see. They are counting on you.

Matthew 5:16 “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

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