I was heading to the outside garage at our home that is not attached to our house. It is the shelter for two vehicles, the lawn mower and some Christmas decorations along with one side that is finished and serves as our home offices.
As I stepped from my house into the sunlight, my sunglasses-covered eyes adjusted to the brightness for the few steps it took to get into the outside garage. As I opened the walk-in door and took the one step up to the concrete floor, my eyes did not adjust to the newfound darkness. I took off my sunglasses but it didn’t help.
I could not see in front of me except for a small trail of light that came from the tiny window. I walked very slow and easy trying to remember if anything was in my path to that office door. I made is successfully without falling thankfully and was so relieved as I opened the office door to the room full of light.
I turned around to look over my shoulder to see the things that could have been in my path to cause me to stumble. There was the lawn mower, a couple boxes, the dog crate, a plastic Santa.
And then I realized, there was a light switch as I walked into the garage that I didn’t think to flip.
It reminds me of how our lives are in the world each day. I wake up and start my day with devotions sitting in the well-lit living room recliner. I think I’ve got the world by the tail and I have great plans to cling to Jesus all day and not stumble. But inevitably sin creeps in and I find myself falling.
I reach for the One who brings light and He picks me up and escorts me back into His path. I look around and see all the ways I could fall just like those boxes, crates and lawnmowers. I see shiny things and wants and desires and seeds of sin.
But I realize when I hold to the hand of God, He leads me through the messes that can trip me up and guides me right into the light. If I let go of His hand and stray, I know that He is right there waiting for me to ask for His help and He holds out His hand to cup mine in His and leads me in the paths of His light.
Isaiah 41:13 – For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
If you feel like you are in the dark today, don’t keep stumbling. Stop right where you are, reach out for the Heavenly hand and ask God to forgive and lead you back into the light.
Oh and by the way, you may want to grab your sunglasses because this journey could be a bit bright. 🙂
