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"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." (Psalm 18:28 NIV)
I often walk my dogs in the dark and as I have done so, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of darkness. It is still and quiet. It wraps me in its cloak of solitude and separates me from the things of this world and my anxious thoughts. It reveals things to me that I might not otherwise appreciate. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I am able to discern the beauty of the trees and fence posts coated in silvery winter frosting, or the summer leaves quietly swaying in the breeze. The stars glow like tiny gems on a clear night. Even on a cloudy one, a few are bright enough to pierce the overcast heavens. While the silence of darkness attunes my ear to discern the slightest whisper of God within my heart. A whisper that the busyness of the day too often seeks to obliterate.
Learning to appreciate the beauty of physical darkness, has also inadvertently, taught me that there is beauty to be found amidst our dark times in life as well. Times when I am struggling, be it physically, mentally or spiritually. Times when I feel alone, deserted and confused. Times when I call out to God but do not hear His voice. Times when there seems to be no beauty anywhere, until I turn to the light of God's word. A light which keeps my spiritual lamp burning, for God's truths turn my darkness into light.
God can not lie, His word and the promises within it are true. Hebrews 6:18. Thus when I read and choose to trust that He is able amidst my situation to always be with me, to always work it for my good, to be my refuge and strength and to guide me in the best way to go, the light of these eternal truths bring the beauty of His ever-abiding illuminating presence into my darkness, transforming it into light.
It is not the same clear light as one sees in the daytime or when things are going well in life and all seems rosy and bright. Rather it is more like walking in the darkness of night. I only catch glimpses of the beauty around me, but they are glimpses that remind and assure me of God's truths and that He is with me as I travel my solitary path, and they are enough to keep me going. A kind word, a friend's visit, the companionship of my canine friends, a hug, a good meal, strength for the day, the smile of a child; little things that are really the light of God's love which turns my darkness into light, for which I praise Him.
Prayer: Father God, teach us to find glimpses of Your illuminating beauty within our times of darkness, that we may be empowered and encouraged to keep going until the dawn reappears and all things are made clear. In Christ's name. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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