When the Light Goes Out

30/03/2019 12:48

Last year, after 32 years of marriage, My husband and I were both blessed with a study each in our  new home—and oh—how I’ve enjoyed mine. This little nook is my happy place, one where I can connect with God, with myself and even with the wider world (yes, you too) via my computer. A tall, dark handsome man pops in sometimes for a chat—so I have a seat reserved for him. Nice. Very nice. However … I’m also ready to close the doors to my den when needed, especially when the TV is on in our family room. Closing those doors means I can pray, write and enjoy quiet moments of solitude.

 

A few days back, my morning plans had been unexpectedly cancelled so I decided to make the most of it. Here was a golden opportunity to persevere with my writing, something I seem to lack sufficient time for most days. It was past noon when I sat at my computer. Oh well, I would have the whole afternoon … or so I thought. But no sooner had I begun typing than my computer screen light went out. That was strange. My screen turned black. Even stranger! I didn’t worry—I flicked the switch on the side of the screen with confidence. But oh no … my computer screen had died on me and that seemed to be that! Thankfully my lap top (attached to that dead screen) was still awake.

The screen of my laptop is small and its letters were minuscule. I felt disoriented as I tried to work on it, using a keyboard I was not familiar with, my fingers pressing the wrong keys all the time. I managed to change my word document to font size 200% which enabled me to keep going. But it was a waste of a day because writing in such conditions was a big struggle. I was relieved and glad when my beloved turned up after work and offered me one of his computer screens. Wow! That was so generous of him!

 

I had no inkling of the joy awaited me—absolutely no idea. When he had fixed it, I discovered that my new screen filled all available space on my desk and was larger than life. Font size 12 on Word looked HUGE—just what I needed, because my eyesight has been dwindling of late. And yes! The screen light was on again. Hooray! Pictures on my new screen were far lovelier to gaze upon because of their size and grandeur. I danced around my room, knowing I would not bemoan the loss of my old screen or my unproductive day. The truth was that if the light in my old screen had not been snuffed out, I would not have had this amazing beautiful large screen to work on.

Sometimes, the lights in our lives go out. And we struggle through the darkness—wondering where God is and what’s going on. It seems like the hard season will never reach its end. But we CAN hold on with confidence. The Word of God says, that as sure as night follows day, His light will shine again. When our Beloved walks into our dark spaces, His brilliant light will illuminate our gloom. And we will see. We will be made whole. Our losses will pale in comparison to the glory to be revealed.

 

Often, we have to just keep going with that “little screen” of our lives in faith till God comes to present us with His vast screen of wisdom and understanding, truth and beauty. And as His light shines bright in the darkness we will see. Really see.  

Has your light been extinguished? Is it hard to see the way ahead? Hang in there dear friend. Call out to our Saviour and wait on Him. He knows. He cares. He is fighting on your behalf. His light is beckoning you from ahead. Whatever happens, we know with sure certainty that His light will flood your soul again. 

Sometimes the light goes off. And we cannot see. But with eyes of faith we have a glimpse of the glory ahead. And that glory is worth waiting for.

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen 

any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4

 

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory

 that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor 4:17

but will have the light of life.” John 1:12