The Light Within

 "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." 

John 1:5

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel!"

How many times have we said this to someone going through a tough time? Or, how many times has someone said this to you as you were going through a trial?

I readily admit I've said this and had this said to me at various times in my life.

I'm in the midst of a tough time now and repeatedly said to anyone within earshot that I'm ready to see light at the end of my tunnel! Just how long is this tunnel? And, where is the speck of light?!

I'm a happy person and I enjoy spreading that happiness to others. If I'm honest, this has been hard for me the past several months being so overcome with what seems like endless darkness.

If you know me or have read any posts in my blog, you know that God's Word is paramount in my life. I rely on it daily, and have since I was given my first bible as a young girl. 

So, I know what it says. I can recite it to you even. The sole reason I went to seminary was to understand God's Word better, and teach others to interpret it correctly.

But...

I still could not find that light at the end of my long tunnel.

Until...

Until I came to the end of myself and remembered God's truth. Until I let it sink into my dark places...

"God is light; in him is no darkness at all." ~ 1 John 1:5

"The LORD is my light and salvation --- whom shall I fear?" ~ Psalm 27:1

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

"The LORD wraps Himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent." ~ Psalm 104:2

"You are the light of the world." ~ Matthew 5:14

So, the light is not external to me, it's internal. I have Jesus Christ living in me, therefore, I already have the light. It's not somewhere at the end of a tunnel.

Light-bulb moment! (pun most certainly intended)

Friend, if you are struggling, hurting, or wondering how long, and if you have Christ within, the light is already there.

He is within you. The light of life. The light of the world.

Look to Him. He will never leave or forsake you. He walks with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us. 

Be encouraged this day and shine. Walk in the Light and illuminate that tunnel as you walk through it victoriously. 

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 

1 John 1:5

The Power of God's Word

 "I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering." ~ Isaiah 48:10

"Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!" ~ Psalm 90:1

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." ~ Hebrews 4:12

Oh, my friends! The power of God's Word is real. 

I've been reading God's word since I was ten years old, sitting on my couch, highlighting verses from the new bible my mother gave me. And now I am a fifty-three year old soon-to-be grandmother, and let me tell you, IT WILL CHANGE YOU. It will change your perspective. It will change your heart. 

As the Hebrews passage tells us, God's word has power. It has the power to show us who we really are and who we need to become. Without fail it will do this, if we will just read it and let it penetrate our heart and mind.

Throughout my life, with each dark valley I've walked through...mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, God's Word has lifted me up out the miry clay every single time.  It has set my feet on a firm foundation and brought my mind and heart to Christ. He alone is the answer to every single issue we have or ever will face. 

Moses reminds us in Psalm 90 that throughout all generations, God has been our home, our dwelling place. And He forever will be. 

Living in a new place geographically for the past few years after leaving my beloved home in San Diego has been one thousand percent difficult. Many tears have been shed. I've agonized and been sad more days than I can count. The missing of what once was has been a sort of heartbreak for me. The adjusting to what now is has been slow. I'm not there yet either.  Everything that I could do and enjoy in my old home and city has been lost. No awesome weather nearly every month of the year (hello Wyoming), no garden (my backyard floods), no butterfly raising (brutal weather), no walking in the summertime without being bit by a thousand mosquitos (OK, I'm using hyperbole here, but this is what it feels like). No large home space to entertain like I used to. No familiarity with doctors. No old friends to hang out with (thank goodness God has blessed me with a few great new friends that I will be eternally grateful for).

Are these life or death situations? Thankfully no. I'm the first to admit all my needs are met, and none of these may seem like a big deal to you and that's alright. But, it's a huge adjustment nevertheless and none of us is exempt from difficulty in this life.

But!

Here is where God's Word is truly transformative. I read my Bible every single day, and I read through it in its entirety every year.  If there is ONE thing I would recommend it's this. Nothing will change you like immersing yourself in God's Word. Submerge yourself in it. Swim in it. Marinate in it. Soak your mind in it. Fill your thoughts with it. Do this and you will be changed from the inside out. 

Here's the power of it: when I'm wallowing in what once was, I recall to mind and therefore I have hope...GOD is my dwelling place, no matter where I am geographically. I could be in Miami and God is still my dwelling place. I could be in Rome, and God is still my dwelling place, or, I could be in Wyoming, as I am now, and God is my dwelling place. It's not a geographical place, it's a person.  God is my dwelling place. 

And...

When we are in difficult circumstances or life situations, and we know God is refining us in that uncomfortable furnace of suffering, immersing ourselves in God's Word is paramount. Nothing will soothe our souls like meeting with God each day and pouring over His word and allowing it to penetrate us and soak through to our heart. 

Be encouraged. Be encouraged! God has not or never will leave or forsake you. Cling to Him. He has given us His word to comfort us and lead us on the right path. Immerse yourself in Him and soak yourself in scripture. 

It will transform you and you will never be the same. 

"I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words." 

Psalm 119:147