March 10, 2008

Walk in the Light

I've been getting up at 5:30 since August, but there aren't many mornings that I jump out of bed raring to go. The aroma of coffee wafts into my room and calls my name, most of the time too softly to make a real impact. This morning was no different. I finally kicked off the covers and stumbled in kitchen to pour myself a cup of ambition (turn up the speakers and you can sing along). I sat down in my spot, ready to hear what Jesus had to tell me. Reaching down beside the couch to pull out my church bag, I was shocked when the lamp fell over. The strap on my bag caught the cord, and the lamp bit the dust.

Did I mention it was really 4:30 in the morning? (Dreaded daylight savings time!)

I thought the bulb burned out, and grabbed another to replace it. Meanwhile, the ambition's getting cold. The light bulb didn't work. Seems the tumble did more damage than I thought. I put the bulb back in the lamp I stole borrowed it from, and moved that lamp to my spot. I'm a creature of habit, and if I'm going to listen to the Lord of the Universe so early in the morning, I'm going to sit in my spot to do it.

It was a lot of trouble for a little bit of light. At 4:30 in the morning (the government's not fooling me!).

Finally, I found my place in John and started reading. Obviously Jesus loves irony.

Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, "I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won't be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life."
~John 8:12(CEV)

Before I came to know Jesus, I was walking in the dark. I'd gotten pretty good at navigating, but I still stumbled. I didn't realize I could leave the darkness, that I didn't have to stay. Then I heard about the Light. My attempts to incorporate Him into my life were futile...much like putting the bulb into the broken lamp. Only surrender and the realization that I could not create my own light brought me to a place of true illumination.

Even after I found the Light, my heart would wander back to darkness. Unaccustomed to it, I fumbled my way through. I was walking with a flashlight in my hand, but never turning it on. I had it, but where was the benefit? Only in following Jesus, in spending time with Him daily, am I able to walk in the light and to clearly see where He wants to take me.

It's a wonderful sight to behold.

6 comments:

Mary@notbefore7 said...

What an appropriate start to your day to remind us of the function of light in our lives.

"walking with a flashlight, but never turning it on..." The way so many are walking! May we be the tools God can use to help them turn on the light!

Alana said...

Beautiful post, Melissa! Love that God used your lamp as an illustration today!

His Girl said...

man! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Doesn't God have an amazing sense of humor?

I love that in the midst of our "stumbling" he shines HIS light for us to show us the way.

Great story Melissa!

Tiffany said...

Yeah, i missed the memo about daylight savings too. This is me so many mornings....coffee is good, coffee is my friend! Coffee and my quiet time help my "happy mommy mood," to appear in the morning! BTW- what are the traits for the comma, and why don't you think they're you?

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

I have been away from my computer most of the week, which sometimes is a good thing. So, this morning it is so fun to have so many blogs to catch up on in my bloglines.

Since my dad died in January, I have been having trouble getting up early...I had also started with the 6 am club and was enjoying the early morning time with the Lord. I know I need to start again...it has been a difficult winter, and I am ready for the clouds and gray skies to move on.