Brought to Light

When I was in university, lonnnnnng before GPS and iPhones, I was fortunate to snag a great summer job with the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation working out of one of their buildings along major highways in the province.  Ours was located on the way to sought-after “cottage country” and our task was to offer directions and suggestions for what to see, where to stay, etc.  At the beginning of each summer, the summer staff would go on a familiarization tour, or “fam trip”.  For three days, we would toot around in a van, visiting resorts, restaurants, and various attractions  (Santa’s Village, here I come!!.  One year, we were up north of Sudbury, staying overnight at a remote fishing lodge.  I was rooming with a colleague who was about 7 months pregnant.  Our accommodations were beautifully rustic and the only lighting in the sleeping area were kerosene lamps mounted on the walls.  Not long after the lamps had been extinguished and we had nicely settled in, my roomie had to use the bathroom.  The darkness was quite complete out in the middle of gorgeous nowhere.  I got into a fit of giggles bumping into the chunky log furniture making my way to the bathroom, where I knew there was a light switch, so I could safely light the way for my roommate to get to the loo.

There is something really reassuring to being able to see where one is going.  That’s exactly why we bring flashlights when we camp.  It helps me see deep pitfalls (puddles), life-threatening dangers (skunks), and huge obstacles (ankle-wrenching stones).  Flashlights also make me easy to see, so other campers on their way back from the comfort station know the sound they hear in the dark is just me, not a ferocious bear (ok, pesky raccoon).  

There is a piece of scripture that reads…

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:115.

The Message paraphrases it like this…

“By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

How is it that the Word can provide this kind of guidance, protection, security?  Well, I believe the Bible is God’s love letter to me.  Through it, He

…reveals His character

…highlights His relentless love

…provides principles to live by

…tells me who I truly am in Him

…helps me grow in wisdom

…and so much more.  

Sometimes what lies ahead can feel particularly foggy, like bumping around an unfamiliar room in the dark.  It is important to not be unnerved by this.  I believe God gives us light for the very next step, one step at a time.  The rest of the path can stay unfocused for now.   That’s ok.  He’ll get us where we need to go!