Feeling the Darkness

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Scripture

Ex. 10:21 ¶ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.”

Observation

     There have only been a few times in my life when I have experienced complete and total darkness.  It's true that when it's that dark you can't see your hand in front of your face.  It was this type of darkness that God sent to the Egyptians.  God, himself even described it as a darkness which may be felt.  That is a frightening darkness for there is not one single shred of light breaking in.  Literally the darkness feels like it envelopes you, it becomes disorienting and you don't know which way to go. 

Application

     The Egyptians experienced this kind of darkness for three days.  They pleaded with Moses to have God return the light for they were terrified, and yet, after the light returned, they no longer seemed afraid of the darkness, or of God.  Why is it that we can find ourselves in very dark places, having taken turns that we had not intended and we plead for God to save us, and yet, after he does, we find ourselves going back down the same paths again and again?  And there we sit in a darkness that we literally can feel and wonder where God is in all of this.

     It is in complete and total darkness that we discover the beauty of light.  It takes only one tiny beam of light to break the darkness.  Once that beam of light shines, we are drawn to it with almost an obsessive desire to find the light.  What is the source of that light?  We seek the source and discover the closer we get to the light, the clearer things become. 

     Jesus broke into the world to be the light.  Those who are not following God are stumbling around in the darkness, wondering where to go, and literally feeling the darkness engulfing them.  As followers of Christ we are to be the light in a hurt and dying world.  If we haven't stepped out of the darkness and into his light, that's where we need to begin.  However, if we've already stepped out of the darkness then we are light.  That's when we need to realize that we are the bright little pockets of light in a world that is desperately looking for a way out of their gloom of darkness.  That's why Jesus tells us to let our lights shine before people so that they can see what we are doing and God will be glorified. 

     Lift up your light for the world to see.  Allow them to be drawn toward you, for you are their road map to Christ and the path out of the doom and gloom of the ungulfing darkness.

Prayer

Lord, may I be willing today and everyday to lift up my light in the darkness to lead people toward you!  Amen.

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