The Testimony of Light

The Testimony of Light

This past week my husband spent countless hours in the cold, dark night wiring electricity to the goat barn. For four years I have stumbled around in complete darkness during night time chores. These creatures called children are consuming you see, therefore much of the work on the farm gets accomplished in the late hours of the night. Often times it's cold. The darkness only adds more chill to the air. It's kind of a scary place to be with the coyotes howling nearby and mistaking the hose for a snake. Seriously! On more than one occasion I've walked out of this barn bruised and bloody. The neglected hay bale left on the ground has at times left me on my butt, getting licked in the face by a dog or legs trampled by a goat. That rake the kids leave pointing up seems to find humor in smacking me in the face from time to time. I'll stumble and trip, and on occasion my right boot lands in the water trough, the rake laughing in the background. When emergencies arise I fumble with injections and medicines which usually end up lost in the deep bedding. I won't lie. I've cussed like a sailor out here in this barn more than I'd care to admit. There is quite a bit of suffering that goes on in the darkness isn't there? This week, as the anticipation has grown for light in the barn, I started thinking about some things. Years ago I was living in darkness. I was lost I tell you. Completely and utterly lost. I had no idea who I was or where I was going or even why I was here. I was just going through the motions, meanwhile every stumbling block that could be in my way, was. And I tripped over all of them. It was one Christmas Eve night, I was carrying the weight of the world. Heartbroken, scared, helpless when I begged God to help me. "Please God, help me." "Give me a glimmer in this deep pit I'm slave to." I was haunted and exhausted from the beatings the world gave day in and day out. I was so dependent on myself navigating around through life, attempting to fix my own problems and it gave me nothing in return but desparation. You see I'm not one of those people that likes to ask for help. Nope, not me. I'm stubborn as a mule. I suffer from the old "I've got this, I'm in control" mentality. But on that night, the heavy burden of junk I was carrying collapsed. Finally the day had come to lay it down. And there He was. Like His hand was reached out the whole time, waiting for my fingers to interlock with His, I felt His peace. The chaos around me was still a sobering presence, but I felt His peace. The following Sunday I went to church for the first time in a long time. Slowly, pieces were put back together. Hope began to fill my heart. I found refuge and strength and meaning. I later got baptized! No longer did I wander around aimlessly. He gave me breath, freedom, light. I had known Jesus a long time before that night, but sin, hurt, and damage had me meandering down a path that only included Him when it was convenient for me. Now, I walk with Him in everything I do. So here we are on the brink of another Christmas. I imagine the anticipation for Jesus on that dark, cold dessert night. The suffering and the pain that consumed the hearts of men before the arrival of the King. Can you relate? When I flick on the lights to my barn I have instant relief and joy knowing that I can see! No more rustling around trying to find my way. And O what a joy it is to know that Jesus came to this earth, a baby, to light up my life and illuminate all those dark shadows that once consumed me. Just ask Him guys. Even if a whisper, just ask him to break the bondage you're in. Whatever it is. Then go for a walk with him. He will light up your path. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" Psalm 119:105

#Bondage #Light #Farm #Testimony #Sin #Sustainableliving #Psalms