John 12:35-36 So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."
Our journey today takes us down a path that leads us into a dark forest. The trees and brush are so thick and overgrown that sunlight cannot penetrate through the leaves or branches at all. It's almost as if the sun had set. No moonlight, no stars, nothing! No glimmer of sunshine. When we started on this journey at least we had some sunlight, but now there is none. Nothing but total darkness. But if we are to reach the other side of the forest we have to take this path, the dark one. We have to go through it. Fear sets in and we are literally shaking in our boots. As we walk down this path, we stumble across tree branches and twigs in our way. The sounds of the forest deepen our sense of fear. The further in we travel, the darker it becomes. The sound of a owl shakes us to our very core. We suddenly feel something slithering beneath our boots. Although we cannot see it we instantly know what it is, a snake, a serpent. This journey honestly sucks, but we have no choice. We have to endure this darkness for a season. The ups and downs of the hill would be easy to handle in the light of day, but in this darkness the ups and downs become way more treacherous and dangerous. There is no way of predicting when this journey will take us up hill and no way of foretelling when it will plummet down. "Oh no!!!" We just started going downhill. It's getting steeper and steeper until suddenly we lose our footing and end up tumbling down hill into a pool of mud, at least we think it's mud. In this darkness we cannot tell what this goo is we're feeling under our feet. Suddenly there is a rustling in the leaves. We hear foot steps. Then we see them\, 2 beady little eyes staring at us. Could it be a mountain lion? Maybe a cougar? I know a bear? Steadily it gets closer and closer. We struggle in the darkness to find a branch, a stick that is large enough to defend ourselves. Ah, a rock that will work, we pick up the rock and throw it at whatever it is that is coming at us. A relief, it ran away.
As we struggle to regain our composure, and our wits, we realize that this journey is far more scary that we had anticipated. If only we had known we could have prepared better. But alas we never know in advance when we will be traveling a dark path. Finally after what seems like years, we start to see a small flicker of light filtering through the dense forest. We run faster and faster and faster. To escape this darkness would be a miracle. After all we endured, after all the struggle, this journey could be over soon. A ray of hope, a light at the end of a long dark journey through the forest of hell itself, at least that's what it feels like. We reach the end of the forest, the end of the darkness. The light has overtaken the dark forest and for the first time we see the toll that this journey of darkness has taken on us. Cuts and scratches, bruises and callouses, rips and tears. We are battered and bruised, confused and bewildered. We rub our eyes because the light is so bright and so overpowering that it is difficult to see. Our body aches from all the pain we endured and physically we may never be the same, but there is something different we notice about ourselves. Our attitude has changed. As we glance back at the forest, we realize, we won! We survived the darkness and came out stronger and better than we ever imagined. Then we see someone in the distance. His eyes are bright as the sunlight and as we glance down at his hands we notice the scars. It's Jesus Christ! We run into His arms and cry a pool of tears. Then the question we all ask at one time or another arises. "Why?"
"My child, how could you ever appreciate the light if you did not experience the darkness? Some people live in a constant state of darkness. Pity them and pray for them and reach out to them. For my child you have endured the darkness for only a season, but you walked into the light, my light and my love. Sometimes you have to go through the darkness to learn and grow. For I do not cause the darkness, but it is only through the dark times that you can realize how powerful my light and love is. Now you need to let my light shine through you as you walk amongst people who are still walking in the darkness. Shine your light so all can see my glory. Shine your love so all can feel my love. You may be the only example of me people see, so let your light shine. Don't hide it anymore. Be a ray of hope in a lost and dark world. Remember this, I am with you always and in all ways."
This simple little story is so true and so relevant in this world. We all go through times when we are walking down a dark path. Yes, even us Christians endure medical problems, financial struggles, relationship issues and other problems that can easily lead us down a path into darkness. We can become overwhelmed and distraught at the possibilities that lie ahead. We worry, we fret, we say things we shouldn't, we do things we shouldn't, we doubt and then fear sets in and cripples us. We need to prepare for these dark times by reading the Bible, praying and memorizing scriptures so that while we are walking down the dark path, the light of Jesus Christ and His word can light our way through the darkness. It is never easy going through these trying times but it much more comforting to me to know that Jesus is with me shining His light to dispel the darkness. I want to be a ray of hope to this lost and broken world that is filled with darkness. I pray you want to join me in this mission.
May the light of Jesus Christ invade our hearts and minds and souls and spirit. May His light, His love shine through us to be a beacon of hope in a lost and dark world, in Jesus name I pray, amen.
Thank you Sister great analogy used to bring open truth in Spirit and truth
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