Brownwood, Texas
As usual, I was late getting to my campground one night. I arrived at my
reserved campsite in total darkness and set up with a flashlight.
Exhausted after a long day, I climbed up into the elevated sleeping loft
and immediately fell asleep, but at daybreak, a flock of honking geese
awoke me with a start. As I looked out the window beside my bed, what I
saw was an amazingly beautiful sunrise. All around me was a foggy mist
that had a golden glow and a mystical feel. What I also saw was that my
campsite was surrounded by water on three sides and I had come very
close to backing into a lake the night before.
The splendor of the sunrise was held in tension with the realization that
choosing to live in darkness can put me and others on the precipice of
danger. I would love to tell you that I learned my lesson and made
arrangements to set up only in the light, but like the children of Israel, I
am slow to learn my lessons. Jesus is always trying to move us toward
the light. Yet, so often we choose to set up camp in the dark. Then, when
the light comes, we are always surprised by the perilous situations in
which we find ourselves.
Prayer:
Oh patient and illuminating God, forgive me for continuing to squander
the light you relentlessly offer me in the reality of Jesus. Help me to seek
the newness of each day with the assurance that you always meet me
there and continue to overcome the darkness I so often choose. Amen.
Wanda Kidd