The Light Makes it Right

WARNING: Whining in the forecast. You may want to take cover……

See the picture above? Well, that sunless, gray, gloomy, threatening a downpour kinda sky, accurately represents just how I’ve been feeling lately. Things seem to be going every which way but right. Cut into a seedless watermelon to find it full of seeds: clouds of dissatisfaction move in. Gifts ordered and promised to be delivered by a special date end up being delayed: clouds grow grayer with frustration. Plans hoped for, aren’t going to work out: the sky is obscured with disappointment. And now, heartbreak and tragedy have happened too close to home: the gloom of discouragement hangs oppressively in the air. There’s a storm brewing in my heart and a deluge of tears has been looming. Life feels dark.

From trivial inconveniences to life changing events, I have let the dreariness around me be all that I see. Let’s look at the photo again. Notice what I’ve been missing?

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5

Yes, the Light in the midst of the storm is exactly what I’ve been missing! While I’ve been looking around and focusing only on the “overcast” circumstances surrounding me, I’ve forgotten to look up and see the Son shining through.

“I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.”
John 12:46 (CEV)

Jesus didn’t come so that we’d have sunny days all our lives. He came to help us through all the unexpected storms we’d face.  I think we know more about that now, than ever before. How easily I forget in times like these, that I don’t have to remain standing alone in the darkness of my moods and feelings. Maybe you’ve been standing there, too.

“The Scriptures say, ‘God commanded light to shine in the dark.’ Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (CEV)

In writing this, I now realize that I got my title all wrong. Instead of “The Light Makes It Right”, it should be, “The Light Makes ME Right”! Our life situations aren’t necessarily going to change: the clouds will roll in, skies will get gray, and rains will pour down, but when we rely on God’s power to weather our storms and the Light of Jesus to show us the way when we’re in the dark, WE will be what is changed.  And that change? It will then be a light in us, shining The Way for others.

I sure am glad most of you haven’t had to be around me in my whiny state these last few days! Is it ever time for a change in my “weather outlook”!  What a “God-incidence” that I took this picture a few evenings ago, the prompt this week at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com  is “Right”, and that He would give me these words just when I needed them! I love when He does that!  I’d love for you to share in the comments how you handle the dark, gloomy times in your life. For me, I’m going to begin focusing on that Light of the world that cannot be overcome! God Bless You and thank you for stopping in.