Our pastor shared an incredible story recently. He has a 5-yearold daughter, Chloe, and 2-year
old son, Eli, and due to this, he has been introducedto a new phenomenon called Silly Bands. They are quite simply colored rubber
bands that are in fun shapes when they shrink but stretch out to become
bracelets. Chloe discovered that some of her Silly Bands actually glow in the
dark. Now I know what you’re thinking… “and?” but go back to 5-year old you…
They Glow. In. The. Dark!!!!
When Chloe discovered this she immediately ran to find the
darkest room in the house – the laundry room. As her eyes adjusted she was
amazed… look how bright they glow when it’s so dark!!! Immediately, Chloe runs
to go get her brother. He has GOT to see how awesome this is! So Eli
obligingly follows, thinking “Why is my sister taking me to the laundry room? …
Why is my sister shutting the laundry room door?! … WHY IS IT SO DARK IN
HERE!!!” And he BOLTS from the room… never seeing the cool Glow in the Dark
Silly Bands.
darkest room in the house – the laundry room. As her eyes adjusted she was
amazed… look how bright they glow when it’s so dark!!! Immediately, Chloe runs
to go get her brother. He has GOT to see how awesome this is! So Eli
obligingly follows, thinking “Why is my sister taking me to the laundry room? …
Why is my sister shutting the laundry room door?! … WHY IS IT SO DARK IN
HERE!!!” And he BOLTS from the room… never seeing the cool Glow in the Dark
Silly Bands.
Kevin (our pastor) then began to talk about Jesus being the
light… how many different times in scripture God sends LIGHT and things begin
to change. Genesis 1 – “let there be light” and all of Creation began. Abraham
was living in Ur (which means “light”) when God called him out, and all of
Israel began. Jesus (aka THE Light – John 1) shows up and our redemption began.
light… how many different times in scripture God sends LIGHT and things begin
to change. Genesis 1 – “let there be light” and all of Creation began. Abraham
was living in Ur (which means “light”) when God called him out, and all of
Israel began. Jesus (aka THE Light – John 1) shows up and our redemption began.
The thing is… who cares that Light shows up unless you’re in
the darkness? And let’s face it… Darkness stinks. We’ve all been there… the
Dark Night of the Soul. And often, we… like Eli… are looking for the quickest
way out. But what if God, like Chloe, maybe… just maybe… was leading us to the
darkest room of the house for a reason? What if maybe… just maybe… God wanted
to show us what it looks like when He glows in the dark?
the darkness? And let’s face it… Darkness stinks. We’ve all been there… the
Dark Night of the Soul. And often, we… like Eli… are looking for the quickest
way out. But what if God, like Chloe, maybe… just maybe… was leading us to the
darkest room of the house for a reason? What if maybe… just maybe… God wanted
to show us what it looks like when He glows in the dark?
Kevin then showed us a little science experiment. He had all
the lights in the worship center turned off… making it pretty dark. And then he
struck a lighter. At first, it was still pretty dark. But slowly, as our eyes
adjusted, we could see Kevin’s arm, then an outline of him, and eventually a
little of the stage around him. The light never changed… our eyes just adjusted.
And then Kevin said something that I’ve been chewing on all day…
the lights in the worship center turned off… making it pretty dark. And then he
struck a lighter. At first, it was still pretty dark. But slowly, as our eyes
adjusted, we could see Kevin’s arm, then an outline of him, and eventually a
little of the stage around him. The light never changed… our eyes just adjusted.
And then Kevin said something that I’ve been chewing on all day…
“If Eli had stayed in the laundry room, remembering that
Chloe was still there… never leaving his side… If he had given his eyes time to
adjust… He would have been in awe. He would have experienced the wonder.”
Chloe was still there… never leaving his side… If he had given his eyes time to
adjust… He would have been in awe. He would have experienced the wonder.”
What if God wants to me to spend a little time in the dark
right now? What if He’s already started to glow in the dark and my eyes just
haven’t adjusted? What if I just reached out and took His hand, remembering
that I’m not alone here? And as I waited, what if I let my eyes adjust? What
kind of wonder would God show me? What kind of awe-struck wonder would I
experience?
right now? What if He’s already started to glow in the dark and my eyes just
haven’t adjusted? What if I just reached out and took His hand, remembering
that I’m not alone here? And as I waited, what if I let my eyes adjust? What
kind of wonder would God show me? What kind of awe-struck wonder would I
experience?
Lauara – awesome, awesome post. I think that I too will be chewing on this all day…
Thank you, Laura. I needed this today, especially. You are a bright light in my life. May God continue to bless you.
This was a great service 🙂
Even when I know God is right there and that He is the light… darkness still sucks.
My daughter in law, Laura……
You(and God) continue to amaze me!!
This is sooo timely!!!
I have alos found that when I have something “dark” in my thoughts, as soon as I confess it to Him or someone else..I am free,,,LOVE YOU!!
WoW! What a Word!
good word!!
I LOVE THIS!!! Loved the story on Sarah’s blog too… wish I could’ve been there to hear it all in person. GREAT word!
very very cool. rock on love b