The healing light

By CHERYL CRUCE

Late one evening, my daughter, my grandsons, and I were driving home from a mini vacation. Our return trip would be considerably longer than planned. I am notorious for taking detours to see the sites in small-town America. The architecture of old churches and storefronts has always fascinated me, especially those that line the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
Seeing the sites of the small fishing towns and communities along the way, we soon lost track of time. Eventually, I turned left, heading away from the coast and toward what I believed to be home. This was before the navigation systems on our dashboard. Rural America also left us needing phone service for Map Quest. The road had us traveling miles in pitch darkness without any sign of life.
Thankfully my daughter had settled her two boys comfortably in the backseat. It was getting late; they were sleeping soundly, we were out of coffee, and we were lost in the darkness of the night.
Any attempt to call the family for directions failed due to the lack of cell service. We were left to drive until we found civilization.
Eventually, we began to see a glow of light indicating a town or highway exchange. Although we were still far away, we continued toward the hope that lay before us. Regardless of how far away the lights seemed, they continued to bring promise to our darkness.
Light is more than hope to an exhausted traveler. It gives us a sense of time, direction, and well-being. The ancient world used a sundial to mark time. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west; therefore, we gain insight into our travels. Early explorers depended upon the stars to navigate direction.
Light in different intervals and strengths is frequently used to treat emotional and physical ailments. Scripture teaches Jesus is the Light that heals the soul of man.
Life is a journey with many paths. Some avenues will be a path of joy and laughter. Other routes will carry us to grief and discomfort. Some are our choosing, and others are life’s natural course.
Nevertheless, God has promised His Word would be a lamp for our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Our present world may be dark. However, we can look to the horizon for His light. The choice is ours to go toward His lamp or to remain in the darkness.
That night my daughter and I made a choice. We would continue toward that faint glow in the night sky. The closer we got, the brighter it became. We were weary from our travels but found hope in the light and soon found our resting place. It is the same with our Lord. Jesus said. He is the world’s Light; following Jesus, we will not walk in darkness but in the Light of life (John 8:12).
Choose to trust your path to the One who created you.
In the beginning, the light may appear dim; nonetheless, the closer you draw to His presence, the brighter His light becomes. His radiance is like the sun shining bright for you. His light exudes from His hands with a brilliance that can brighten the darkest days. The Light of the Lord is powerful and all-consuming; we cannot hide from His glory (Habakkuk 3:4). Let Him illuminate your path today.
Psalm 139 11-12 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.