I have learned that during the darkest of times even the tiniest of lights radiates like a beacon of hope. 

Sometimes I give the darkness too much attention, and God is merciful to intervene. A recent DIY project was the setting for one such divine intervention in my life. I am still in awe of how He caught my attention.

The walls in our bathroom were painted a deep shade of blueberry, which made the small space feel like a cave. Let’s just say the color didn’t quite turn out as I expected. But I was tired and the paint wasn’t cheap, so the blueberry cave remained until it began to affect my mood each time I entered its space.

It took a couple of days to banish the blue with a light and airy shade of seafoam green. I leaned against the door and wondered at the transformation. My breath of tranquility hiccupped to a halt at the sight of the existing light switches. Is dingy a color? Like all DIY home projects, one thing led to another and my husband was recruited to install all new crisp white light switches and covers. We flicked each switch up, then down to test and called the project complete. We walked from the bathroom completely unaware that those little room illuminators held a secret.

Later in the night I walked toward the bathroom with arms extended in my effort to avoid slamming into the wall. One step through the doorway was enough to discover each light switch glowing like tiny luminaries.

Instead of wandering through darkness, light kept me on course.

As exciting as it was to discover the light inside those switches, nothing compares to the Light of Christ for navigating life this side of heaven:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

·   John 1:5   ·

As a mom—and now a grandma—I am in a place of leadership for my children, and I am determined to lead by the Light of Christ no matter the darkness we encounter.

There are times when the darkness of troublesome circumstances feels impossible to overcome, but we cannot trust our feelings. Focusing on the darkness keeps us bound. Walking by faith in God ensures we will always have the Light of Christ to guide us through.

When we choose to walk in the Light, we become reflections of the Light.

Had I read the box containing the light switches, I would have known they contained light sensors. The same holds true for our walk with Christ. When we read His Word, we learn the truth about His eternal presence in our lives. When we learn and accept the truth, we will not succumb to the lies of our enemy. 

When we walk according to our faith in God, His Light shines through us. As leaders for our families, we have gracious opportunities and sobering commands to lead them well. We get to point them to The Light by walking in His will ourselves.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of troubling circumstances so abruptly that we feel ill-prepared to make it through, much less lead others. This is why I recommend a strategy for establishing little luminaries to help us stay on course when we feel lost and doomed to wander.

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Recipe for LIGHT

Look to God

• • Give God your full attention in the midst of your challenging circumstances.
  • See Colossians 3:1-2.

Inquire of God

• • Ask God for His wisdom to navigate your circumstances. 
  • See James 1:5-6.

Gain God’s perspective

• • Learn to live according to God’s will above your own. 
  • See Romans 12:2.

Honor God

• • Let every circumstance of life be an opportunity to glorify God. 
  • See 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Trust God

• • Leave no room for doubt or self-reliance. 
  • See Proverbs 3:5-6.

As we attend to our walk with God, may our lights shine in such a way that our loved ones see and know God is who He says He is. Even more, may they receive The Light who cannot be overpowered by darkness.  

in the Quiver