Toward the Light
A devotional by Malinda Fugate
In an instant, my apartment was plunged into darkness.
The abrupt power outage eliminated the neighbor’s garage security light as well as the neighborhood street lamps that normally peeked through the windows.
At first, I froze, waiting for my eyes to adjust. The passing moments proved that I had no choice but to feel my way through the familiar room, relying on touch and memory. Soon, my hands grasped the trusty aim-and-flame lighter, giving life to the sweet-smelling candle on my bookshelf. The soft glow illuminated the entire studio apartment, turning the cold darkness into cozy comfort. Let there be light.
The darkness in our lives isn’t always as abrupt as a power outage. It can creep in like a steady dimming of the lights as circumstances become troubling and our mental health needs care. In these times, God can feel far away or not present at all, leaving us stumbling through the darkness, trying to find our way. How can we function without the Light of the Lord? Suddenly, despair sets in, and possibly even panic as we struggle with each step in what seems to be His absence.
These are the moments when 2 Corinthians 5:7 echoes through our hurting hearts: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Our feelings don’t always indicate what is true, and just because we cannot see the light does not mean that God isn’t right there with us. We stumble step by timid step in the dark, reaching for what we know. Just as our memory of a familiar room guides us through a power outage, the precious Scriptures we have hidden in our hearts become the guide for truths we cannot currently see clearly.
So, what do we need to do when we’re in the dark? The first thing we need is to turn on the light. According to John 8:12 (NIV): When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
When we declare the truth of who God is and what He has promised, it’s like lighting a match of hope. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Even in a cave, deep below the earth and far from the sun, the smallest light can push away darkness. It may not illuminate every nook and crevice, but it has the power to light the way. The Bible says in Psalm 119:105 (NIV), “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
So too, does God’s Word have the power to pierce the darkness, leading the way to more of His marvelous light.
This world does indeed have trouble, but the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) has overcome it. He never leaves nor forsakes us even during the times we cannot see Him clearly. His truth remains unchanged and we can rely on it in any circumstance, even when it seems the darkest.
The moments of despair are temporary, because our God of love keeps us close to His heart and brings us into His light. He is trustworthy and He will not abandon us in the dark.
~*~
Author Bio:
Malinda Fugate writes from the heart.
Key Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:7, John 8:12, John 1:5, Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
In an instant, my apartment was plunged into darkness.
The abrupt power outage eliminated the neighbor’s garage security light as well as the neighborhood street lamps that normally peeked through the windows.
At first, I froze, waiting for my eyes to adjust. The passing moments proved that I had no choice but to feel my way through the familiar room, relying on touch and memory. Soon, my hands grasped the trusty aim-and-flame lighter, giving life to the sweet-smelling candle on my bookshelf. The soft glow illuminated the entire studio apartment, turning the cold darkness into cozy comfort. Let there be light.
The darkness in our lives isn’t always as abrupt as a power outage. It can creep in like a steady dimming of the lights as circumstances become troubling and our mental health needs care. In these times, God can feel far away or not present at all, leaving us stumbling through the darkness, trying to find our way. How can we function without the Light of the Lord? Suddenly, despair sets in, and possibly even panic as we struggle with each step in what seems to be His absence.
These are the moments when 2 Corinthians 5:7 echoes through our hurting hearts: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Our feelings don’t always indicate what is true, and just because we cannot see the light does not mean that God isn’t right there with us. We stumble step by timid step in the dark, reaching for what we know. Just as our memory of a familiar room guides us through a power outage, the precious Scriptures we have hidden in our hearts become the guide for truths we cannot currently see clearly.
So, what do we need to do when we’re in the dark? The first thing we need is to turn on the light. According to John 8:12 (NIV): When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
When we declare the truth of who God is and what He has promised, it’s like lighting a match of hope. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Even in a cave, deep below the earth and far from the sun, the smallest light can push away darkness. It may not illuminate every nook and crevice, but it has the power to light the way. The Bible says in Psalm 119:105 (NIV), “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
So too, does God’s Word have the power to pierce the darkness, leading the way to more of His marvelous light.
This world does indeed have trouble, but the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) has overcome it. He never leaves nor forsakes us even during the times we cannot see Him clearly. His truth remains unchanged and we can rely on it in any circumstance, even when it seems the darkest.
The moments of despair are temporary, because our God of love keeps us close to His heart and brings us into His light. He is trustworthy and He will not abandon us in the dark.
~*~
Author Bio:
Though she serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a church in Southern California, she is also a crafter of words published in books.
Her writing includes children's faith resources, commercial copywriting, and various faith-based stage and screenplays.
Malinda invites you to explore the various 3:16s in the Bible with her new book, The Other Three Sixteens (published by Ambassador International in May 2020).
She also invites you to read her previously published books: Bible Time for Active Kids, which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon.com, and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God, which is an interactive creative writing journal.
Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, and then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.
When she's not writing or working at church, Malinda might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.
Malinda invites you to explore the various 3:16s in the Bible with her new book, The Other Three Sixteens (published by Ambassador International in May 2020).
She also invites you to read her previously published books: Bible Time for Active Kids, which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon.com, and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God, which is an interactive creative writing journal.
Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, and then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.
When she's not writing or working at church, Malinda might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.
Visit Malinda online via https://www.malindafugate.com.
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