Tuesday, October 28, 2008

His Presence in the Darkness

Life has some "dark" times. There are sorrows and pains that inevitably accompany the joys of everyday life. Life changes, people change. We find ourselves in situations we never anticipated and certainly never wished for. We are forced to "grieve the loss" - of people, of our plans, and of our hopes and dreams. We are forced to face the unknown.

For me, the unknown is one of those "dark" places. Being forced to walk on faith as I see things changing around me is not always easy. When I feel the gentle nudge to step forward into the unknown, my first instinct is to stop.

Fortunately, I have been encouraged, time and time again, to step forth.... into the darkness, into the unknown. Sure, there are still times when I want to turn and run the other direction, but I have been taught to stand on faith and move forward. So, I close my eyes, take a good deep breath, and pray, pray, pray.

It takes courage. Initially, I was mistaken about courage. I thought courage was the absence of fear. Then I learned that courage is "fear that has said it's prayers". I also learned that sometimes I must "do it afraid".

But, time and time again, as I "do it afraid", I have experienced one undeniable truth. No matter how dark it seems, or how much I fear the unknown, ...or the pain: When I walk out on Faith, I am never walking alone.


"Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me" Ps 23:4

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