~ Holding the Light ~

[Lani]

Psalms 89:14-18
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.


Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)




My friend and I climbed to the top of a 175-foot lighthose where rotating lenses projected light at night to guide ships along the coastline. At nightfall, we walked out on the sandy beach to see the light beams in the darkness. I held a small flashlight and focused the beam of light a short distance ahead of our feet so we could walk together. My friend remarked how grateful she was that I was holding the light for her.

Later the words “holding the light” came up again when I and another friend talked about times of darkness in our lives. Then when the pastor’s sermon contained the phrase “glimpses of light in the darkness,” the imagine continued to grab my attention. As I wonder about my next steps with work goals, financial decisions, and spiritual practices, I am assured that in the darkness of any of life’s uncertainty there will be glimpses of light. Sometimes I may be the one holding the light for another, and sometimes someone else will hold the light for me.

Christ, my sure companion, is the source of light. As I take each step, the next step becomes visible as the light opens into more space. And when the light stands still, I can rest in that quiet space and trust that God is preparing me to move ahead again when the time is right.


Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your promise that you will be our light. Help us to focus on you in the quiet of our hearts and to return always to rest in you. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Someone facing a decision.

Thought for the Day: What is the one next step God asks me to take today?

Story shared by: J. Floyd (TN)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/16/11