Go toward the light …

When I enter a room to relax, kick back, veg out – in short, to become the epitome of a couch potato in appearance and momentum – I dim the lights, grab my blanket, and enter the state of inertia.  Not so when I enter a room with intentions to work on a project, read a book, do some cleaning, or check off items on my to-done list. When I’m on a mission, I turn the lights on, sometimes more than one, because I want to see clearly, need every facet of the task revealed. In a way, like the Psalm of David says in Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.”
Do you ever feel like someone turned out the lights? Like everything was progressing nicely, plans you made actually happened just the way you hoped, and in the middle of all that was much happiness. Then the lights went out. An argument with a friend, a broken promise of a family member, a lost job, spiteful behavior from a bully, an accident, loneliness, saying good bye, having to endure illness … especially at this time of year … waiting for spring … anticipating sunshine and warmer weather…  We so often anticipate the joy, but are crushed under disappointment. The light goes dim and it takes all our effort to keep our positive attitude and live through the darkness.  What I’d rather have instead of darkness is for my day to be like Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
The key is turning toward the light, even the tiniest glimmer, when days are dark. It’s easy to be suffocated by circumstances and turn away from the light until all we see is darkness. This is when we have to search diligently to keep hope in our sight and act as if joy is on the way.   Find a memory that brought joy in the past, then recreate it, repurpose it for today. Write an encouraging word to someone in email or on real paper using your favorite pen. Focus on one thing that’s good, then play the add-on game. It’s tough to find enough solid blocks of good when we are encompassed with so many that are broken. Isn’t that what we do though? Don’t we constantly sort through our circumstances and choose which pieces to play with? Let’s choose the whole pieces today. The ones that stand up to adversity, the ones that reflect the light. David, yes the one that killed Goliath, suffered at the hands of both enemies and friends. In those times he knew who to call.  Psalm 118:13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
This is my prayer for us today, that we will seek the light. Before letting discouragement gain a foothold, let’s remember that God might not stop the storm, but He is there to shelter us and protect us from drowning. Perfect? Life is never perfect, although there are many perfect moments. Those times are like diamonds in fields of coal. Little sparks that remind us to be joyful, to keep searching for the good, seeking the light. It can happen, it will happen.   Isaiah 9:2 & 3 “People walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. God increased their joy; they rejoice as people rejoice at the harvest.”  Harvest. Before harvest, we have to have spring – time of planting,  summer – a time of growing.  Through the seasons we remember God is never early, He is never late, He is always on time. In the nick of time, God’s will is done. Life is tough. Pray hard – then wait on the Lord. Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8bLcmI7Cc