What Do I Do? How Do I Do it?

What do I do when the darkness swallows up every beam of light?

I know that "Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105" I guess that means on some days we won't see anything more than the next step in front of us.

What if the next step is as dark and scary as the last two I have taken?  What if I see that the path ahead still looks like the last two miles I just walked?

I know "We live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7"

It is funny how darkness distorts everything.  We sit calmly in our living room, watching a movie. Suddenly the power goes out, the room becomes pitch black, and the familiarity and safeness are forgotten as fear and uneasiness sets in.  We turn on the flashlight app on our phones and light every candle we can.  In the blackouts we walk from room to room, with flashlight or candle in hand.  Suddenly we are afraid of furniture or obstacles that are always there, but are now scary in the absence of light.

Do you know one of my favorite things about Jesus? He never asked anything of us that He wasn't willing to do Himself. Jesus walked the darkest, loneliest road, carrying a cross on His way to death by crucifixion. The roads through and in Jerusalem were familiar but in the darkness and alienation that our sin created we cannot understand the dread or His loneliness as God the Father turned His head.

Jesus defeated the darkness and the loneliness. Because of Jesus, God's Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  And, right now, I am walking one step at a time because I know the road ends in glory, in everlasting light, in land of never ending day.

How do I do that?   

"Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."

Brothers and sisters, we fret so much about being God's will.  If that is truly our heart's desire, our motivation for the steps we take and choices we make, then we will be, even on roads that look like major detours.  All roads lead to glory, to Heaven, to everlasting joy and light for believers.  The joy was not in the cross, but what awaited after the cross.  The "the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10" The joy of knowing what waits at the end of all roads, dark or light, smooth or bumpy. Joy becomes strength to endure. Endurance increases faith.

Enduring is easier when we remember what awaits.  Jesus is a light that cannot be swallowed up.  He is a light we see and know.  When we hide our Word in our hearts, He is a light that shines within.  His Word is leading us to a city where there is no need of sun or moon because He is the light that lights it up.

I keep stumbling on this dark road.  Every step reminds me I need a Savior.  Every step reminds me I have a Savior. I am glad.