The Dark Room ~ Part 1
Pitch black! I can’t see anything! I am surrounded by objects; I can feel them, but my eyes can’t them make out. I try to feel my way around hoping to find a lamp or a switch, but there is no room to move without stumbling over something or bumping into an obstacle, many of which are so painful! I don’t even remember what they are. I am trapped!
I have a room in my house that is like this. I dread going into it, and I keep the door closed when others come to visit. It is not totally dark as described above, but it is not a room with much natural light. It is filled with all the things I don’t want to deal with at the moment, don’t know what to do with, or don’t have time to attend to but need to have out of my way.
It is a room that exemplifies a comment made by my former pastor, Jack Aiken, when I was on staff at Kings Way Assembly of God in Eagle River, Alaska. He said, “You’re the best pilot I know! Pile it here, and pile it there!” We all laughed at the comment and the intended pun; however, he was spot on with his description. In my busyness, I would run into my office, drop a pile of music on the floor, grab another stack, and run back out.
My room here at home is a slightly larger version of my office at the church. Most of the items simply need to be discarded and hauled out as trash, while others need my attention. I must decide what place they should have in my room, my home, my life ~ keep it, organize it, give it away! What will it be? Can you identify with me on this?
Well, this is also my life! There’s a hidden dark place in me that I don’t easily let others visit because it is filled with piles of issues that are messy. Most of them simply need to be discarded and hauled out as trash, while others need my attention. I must decide what place they should have in my “room” ~ my life. Keep it, organize it, give it away? What will it be? I am often fearful that if someone should “see” my dark room, they would reject me or judge me.
On August 23, 2016, I wrote about this dark room. The verse that prompted me to write about it can be found in John 8:12
“I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
When I wrote the entry in my journal, I had ended up spending frightening time in a dark room in my soul. This was my life. In the darkness and fear that wrapped itself around me, I cried out for help! In that moment the light came on. It was then that I could see what was holding me captive. It was also then that I saw Jesus standing at the open door! At that moment, my life changed, and I would never be the same again!
My Prayer:
Father, I experienced darkness as I had never experienced it before! Then You came through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and bathed me in Your light! Now I live in Your light as never before. With Your help, I will never return; I will continue to live and to walk in Your light! ~ Amen
Song of the Day:
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yptnKmsVmgo[/embedyt]
“I Will Never Be (feat. Darlene Zschech)” by Hillsong Worship
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I’ve closed the door.
I will walk apart, I’ll run the race
And I will never be the same again.
Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.
Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I’ve closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
Leave A Comment