Walking in the Light

Have you ever stumbled in the dark? Here in NJ it is never really dark at night what with the street lights and the glow from nearby cities, it is rarely possible to walk in the dark.  In Maine, however, it is an entirely different experience. When the sun goes down, it is pitch black.  You literally cannot see your hand.  One benefit of this darkness is that it allows you to see a massive number of stars (I'll post about that some other time.)

How many times have you awakened in the night to take care of a crying baby, or a sick child or for some other reason? Did you stub your toe?  When I was in Maine recently, I had to walk from one end of the campground to the other, alone in the dark.  You can be sure I walked very slowly, cautiously and with my hands out in front of me.  What I would have done for a flashlight!!  Then there was another time when Tim was walking with me.  He was holding my hand, walking slowly just ahead of me telling me what was next: "a dip here", "bend a bit for this low branch", "step up a bit here".  What a help he was!!

I was reading Psalm 119:105:  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  It made me think of the many times I've made a mess of things; when I've stubbed my toes.  Like when I've tripped up in my relationships with others, or in my decision making, or in my parenting, or in my marriage with Tim, or when I'm making slow to no progress in my spiritual walk. After spending time in this psalm I was made to "see" again that I need God's words to shed light on my day to day living.  I can always see a direct connection to how I'm handling life, and how I'm making decisions to how I am spending time in the presence of God in prayer and in His word.  

I Timothy 3:16 reads, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work."

This verse tells us that there is truth available to us for every good work we want to do.  How does God's Word come to bear upon my day to day life? When I'm making a purchasing decision do I stop and ask myself if there is a biblical principle I need to apply to this decision?  When I am homeschooling is there a biblical promise that will encourage and motivate me? When I am in conflict resolution what Scripture governs my thoughts and attitudes?  When I am sinking into a state of discouragement is there a word for me?  When I'm tempted toward anger, selfishness, pride do I process this temptation through the truths of the gospel?

Often I cannot do this on my own.  I need the help of another.  My heart is so deceitful I can easily "spin" my thoughts and reasoning to suit my own way.  I think I'm seeing clearly but if I'm not being directed by God's Word I inevitably fall.  So, I need to ask for help.  I need a husband, an older woman, a sister in the faith to shed the light of truth into my heart.  My pride resists this initially, but when I'm taken into the light I'm thankful for this means of God's grace in my life.  

Is there something you are struggling with?  Are you stumbling?  Are you walking in the darkness of your own reasoning rather than the light of God's Word?  Do you need to ask someone to come alongside you to steer you towards Scripture for help in making a decision?   God's word has something to say about how we are to think, how we are to dress, how we are to spend money, choose our friends, manage our time - in other words:  "our training in righteousness."

I'd love to hear how the Lord is shedding His light on your path.