When I was much younger, it seems that the power would go off a lot more often than it does now. It still happens even today and usually when we need it most. Should that happen at eight o’clock tonight, what might our first reaction be?  Since there isn’t much we can do without light, someone would begin to search for a flashlight or candles. Once you have a light source, many more things become possible.

I have a niece that now lives in South Georgia. I was in my early twenties when she was born and have enjoyed the privilege of watching her grow into a wonderful, godly woman. She has always been a voice of reason in our family. When her mom would run out of gasoline on a hot summer day, it was often Lori who would somehow manage to find the humor in it. On those scary, stormy nights when the power would go off, she could be heard over all the other kids making silly remarks and giggling uncontrollably. She had decided that she would take control of the circumstances in her life and make the best of them. Even after all these years, she still doesn’t allow unpleasant events or people to steal her joy … or her light.

At the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus looked out at this bloodthirsty, pathetically immoral mob and took pity on them. He pitied them because they were in darkness and were not handling it well. They were angry at something that they could not see and chose to take it out on God in the flesh.

How do we respond when something comes our way that we cannot understand? Do we lash out at those around us instead of attempting to seek out the source of the problem and focus on that? In most of these situations, the source is usually the same; darkness. Darkness as it applies to us is often the absence of understanding. But there are many things that are incomprehensible, so what about those? God has made a provision for that as well. His provision is faith.

When the lights went out in the house and everyone else was fearful, my niece Lori was cool-headed and had faith that all would be well. Today, the lights are dimming all around us and without the Lori’s of this world, this would be a very unpleasant place. Not only do we need someone giggling in the dark to lift our spirits, we also need someone lighting candles.

In John 8:12, Jesus said, ”… I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” So not only do we run to the light when difficulties come our way, but we should also point others to “the Light of the world.” A little hope mixed with a lot of faith will get us through most anything!