1 John 1:5 KJV “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

 

God is our light our ever lasting and eternal peace, for which without Him we have nothing.  His righteous and Sovereign being constitutes endless beauty and love – but one of light comes to mind right away.  His glowing purity and quintessential holiness is at times, difficult for the average person to understand…To fully grasp the enormity of His presence, and His love is overwhelming, yet reasuring and all consuming.

Last week we had a blackout in our State – I belive 99% of the State was without power.  It was something out of a science fiction movie or novel.  The lines at the gas station, if one was lucky enough to find, were hectic and long.  Tempers were flaring due to the situations most were facing.  The stores and restaurants were closed, so food was difficult to find.  Shelters were open, but almost all filled to capacity-and trying to find lodging in a hotel was akin to finding the old proverbial “needle in a haystack.” 

We had offers from our neighbor to join her at her friend’s house, one of the lucky few who still had power.  We turned her down-because on top of the poor conditions, my husband and I were nursing a really bad cough and running a fever.  We didn’t want to compromise anyone’s health, so opted to stay at home.  Another couple, dear friends who are part of our church- asked us to join them for dinner and take a warm shower when their lights came on.  We were overwhelmed how kind people were who reached out,  we turned them down as well.  Again, not wanting to compromise our friend whose health is fragile to begin with.  But their kindness and their offers of love will not be forgotten any time soon.

And of course it goes without saying, our families who live out of state wanted us to go and stay with them.  However, a three hour drive wasn’t inviting, and we hoped the lights would be on soon-so we decided to stay at home and pray for the best.

While sitting in the cold and darkness we knew that our current situation was temporary.  We thought of the thousands and thousands of homeless people that face this every day of their lives.  They hunt for shelter, hunt for food- and try to get warm in various ways, and they live in the “dark.”  We always knew and felt compassion for these individuals, but when faced with our temporary plight, it made us even more keenly aware of their predicament.  We prayed for them and asked for God to protect them and give them shelter.

While sitting at home in the “dark” we bundled up.  We had no portable radio and our entire cul-de-sac was empty, everyone took off, but one lady.  The silence was deafening!  However, during this time something amazing happened.  I heard God’s voice!

I choose to start my day with the Word and end my day with the Word-it is my way of life, and one that I need in order to function.  So, this would not be any different- except I read it by candlelight.  And suddenly the clarity of His Word reached out to the chambers of my heart and brought meaning to my soul in a deep and satisifying way. The words scorched my heart in a powerful way.

He brought the full illumination of His message to my soul, and filled me with inner peace.  But, that wasn’t all!  While reading I was shivering from the cold- slowly I began to feel an inner warmth that washed over me.  I felt the warmth cascading throughout my body-and tears poured from my eyes.  I realized the Lord’s presence was with us!  He was there and providing warmth, comprehension and love.  It was a profoundly eye opening experience.  I felt I became even closer to God than previously. 

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…” James 4:8 (KJV)

So the whole time we were without power-we always had our “Light” – For with God, one can never be in the dark. 

1 John 1:7 (KJV) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth us from all sin.”