Winter Light January 2010
A couple of years ago the little bedside lamp that had accompanied my wanderings and illumined my readings for many years had taken to fits of dysfunction much like the age in which we live. Sometimes without provocation it went off leaving me in the dark and coming back on, if given time, just as mysteriously. Those who know simple electrical repair, like my husband who learned from his father, can easily fix the loose connection. But others without that training might throw the whole thing out as a lost cause. Such a disposition increasingly characterizes our society today. Many have thrown out the instructions on how to re-connect to the power.
While passing through the shortened days of winter we see more and more holiday lights displayed. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognized condition for which artificial light is used to treat the soul whose inner light has seemed to flicker out. It is in these winters of the soul that we need to hold tight God's instructions "Fear not... I will never leave you."
When shadows far larger than the object casting them, appear to loom over our situation, the danger is not the darkness itself but our fear response. As we resist fear we find God's path illuminated and darkness must flee. Perhaps that path winds through gang controlled streets or corrupt corridors. Nevertheless, God said He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Though that light may seem to flicker and die and we question our power source we must remember He is faithful.
Through the Parable of the Ten Virgins we are told to trim our lamps and fill them with oil for the times ahead. The message of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, generally coincides with Christmas and the Winter Solstice in December. Chanukah celebrates and affirms the miraculous provision of light and victory over darkness. On the darkest day of the year we can confidently celebrate the Giver of all Light.
I wrote this devotional during a dark season in my life. I can happily report the bedside lamp has been fixed by my faithful husband and I am joyfully resting in The Lord's resplendent light. I have learned to say "Return unto thy rest oh my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with thee." Psalm 116:7
Lord, shine your Light upon us and through us that we might light the way for others in the coming year.
Chris Funnell
FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 63:7-8, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 25:1-13, Isaiah 51:4, Isaiah 60:3, Matthew 5:14, John 1:9, 8:12, 9:5, 11:9, 12:46, Revelation 21:24. Psalm 116:7.
