“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him]not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind.” (John 1:1-4 New American Standard Bible)
One day this week, I finished my early morning work. And when I say early, I mean at an hour that makes the birds of the air say in envious bord languages, “You are making us look bad!” It was still dark, just as dark as when I went to bed the night before.
As usual, I turned off my light and walked toward the closed door of the room in which I work. I try my best not to wake up my wife. I never have a problem leaving the room, usually. I followed my routine. My routine: I turn around after turning out the light, slide my feet two steps to the right, like I am doing the electric slide or the Caper Slide Part Two, to avoid stumbling over a decorative, designer, circular basket that I keep some throws in for cold mornings. Next, I take a few cautious steps toward the door, reach out to grab the doorknob so I can enter the hallway. That’s usual, usually, and an unfailing routine.
However, that particular morning I don’t know what happened. I felt like a battered ball in one of those old pinpoint machines, bumping into one object after the other. I ran into the coffee table, almost knocked down some pictures on the wall, and my legs hit a chair, as I stubbed my toe on the leg of the chair. Here I was in darkness, yet it was a darkness in a familiar place. I kept my cool, came to my senses finally and looked to the green lights on the cable box. It seemed like it was not where it was usually located. But it was not the light that had changed its position, it was me who had gotten off my usual path, away from my routine. If you had seen me, you would have laughed so hard that your tummy would shake, tears would roll down your cheeks, and try as hard as you might, you would have not stopped laughing. It was a not so funny comedy.
But out of the not so funny comedy came a certain faith lesson for you and me that is no laughing matter. When we find ourselves, unexpectedly in a dark place, even in a familiar space, we should avoid stumbling around, for that is dangerous and can lead to complications that we would rather avoid. Instead, do what I did, find your way back to “The Light,” no matter how much effort you have to expend. Make that a purposeful act, before you do anything else. I’m sure you know “The Light” I am talking about, don’t you? Of course you do! find your way back to the Light of the world, Jesus the Christ.
Have a good day! As Mom used to sing to me as a very young child, “Walk in the light, the beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world.” Love you! Be blessed!
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12 New American Standard Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King