In the Dark

Recently, I had an experience I won't soon forget. From Friday supper to Sunday afternoon, we had no power or cell service (44 hours). High winds and thick snow covered and downed hydro lines and thousands were without power. It was unusual to see such an intense snow/rain storm for this time of year.

For two nights we'd come home to a pitch black neighbourhood - no street lights, not even a flicker of a candle in the window. It was cloudy, so there were no stars or moonlight. I had every LED strung light I could find strung across the windows and ledges inside. I have two trees outside with these battery operated tiny strung lights. They weren't much but they helped. And it was eerily quiet, no hum of the fridge, the heaters, or the TV or radio. It was tough being without a phone or the Internet. We felt cut off.

We dared not open the fridge in case food would start to spoil. We had to preserve water. We did have a wood stove which made all the difference. It also helped that a friend offered to let us put our frozen food in her freezer. She also offered us the use of her shower since we couldn't run our water. Another friend, as soon as he heard we had been without power for 42 hours thus far, lent us his generator. But the power came on shortly after. We deeply appreciated these kind souls going out of their way for us!

But it was the total darkness that affected me the most. It felt so bleak. And it was this experience which drove home the spiritual truth of our hopeless state when we do not know God, or even if we do, and we are out of fellowship with Him.

John introduces Jesus as the light:

John 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

1 Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Jesus said that His (redeemed & blood-bought) children are the light of the world.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

It reminds me once again of the urgency to reach those that are lost. To care that people are in the dark, and to remember that if they seem to stumble or get upset at what we say or do, it's because they can't see the truth. Satan has blinded their minds.

2 Cor 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Cor 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We must pray that they start to seek after God, and that Jesus reveals Himself to them, so that they can finally see and be free from the bondage of sin and ultimate demise if they turn to Jesus and repent. In the meantime, let's take every opportunity to get out there and be a shining light to those still living in the dark.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.