I wanted to touch base (since apparently I haven’t even logged onto my blog for weeks). All of my writing minutes have been spent trying to finish up my next book. (Yay! And, Lord help me.) My manuscript is due by the first of March. So your prayers for God’s words and truths to flow through me as I finish it up would be deeply appreciated.
In other news, I wanted to start the new year by reading a biography of someone who has gone before me/us in this faith journey. I chose The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (because I’m like the last human on the planet who hasn’t read it.) And people, I’m speechless. Not really, because I’m blogging about it. Seriously, her story has spurred me on. And though there were a plethora of truth-packed sentences that slayed me (while I read her story, sitting in my comfortable home), there’s one main thing I don’t want to forget.
There is no darkness that God’s light can’t overcome.
I don’t say that flippantly. I don’t say it naively. I know that I know that some reading these words may be in a season of real, painful, deep grieving. But even in the earthly hell of prison cells and concentration camps, God’s light graciously shone as Corrie and her sister, Betsie, clung to their Lord. He spoke to them. He led them. He strengthened them. He miraculously provided for them. And people glorified the Father as a result of their constant, faithful, authentic, sometimes imperfect witness in that dark place.
That encourages me. Because it reminds me that there isn’t anything — no sickness, no trial, no difficulty, no suffering, no political or cultural crazy — stronger than God. Yes, He allows (and ordains) His children to walk through hard things on this planet. This. is. not. our. home. But God Almighty goes with us. He goes behind us and beside us and ahead of us. He even goes in us by His Spirit. And His light can shine into the darkest of nights and onto the bleakest of soul-situations bringing wisdom and clarity and comfort and hope and love. That’ll preach, y’all.
I need to remember. I need to remember, minute by minute by minute, that the risen Lord Jesus still sits on His throne and there ain’t nothin’ gonna knock Him off. That’s the North Carolina comin’ out of me.
So, as January quickly comes to a close, I simply encourage you as I’ve been encouraged. Press on. May He grace us with endurance to run our race — to run it well — in constant communion with and dependence upon our God. And as we do, may He make us — mere humans — conduits of His glorious light.
Fill me, Lord…
How has your year started off?
Are you reading any good/inspiring books?
How have you seen God’s light shine into the darkest of situations?
(I have so many questions for you! Let’s chat.)
