If
I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.”
- Psalm 139:11-12
and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.”
- Psalm 139:11-12
As
I reflected on these two verses from Psalm 139 I was reminded of the
many times I have said, “You are safe, here in this place” to
children and adults alike throughout my years in ministry. I hope it
has always been true.
It does not always make sense to us
that God could be bright as day even in the darkest of times. How can
we find a safe place in the midst of violence or hurt, especially
when we are hurt by those who should care for us the most? How can we
trust that God can find us even in the darkest of places? The image
of a lighthouse comes to mind. Most often, if you aren’t an avid
sailor, you notice them more for their beauty against the backdrop of
a blue sky. But a lighthouse is most beauty and helpful in the midst
of violent wind and rain, guiding a ship back to the safe harbor.
We
don’t often recognize our need for a safe “harbor” until we
notice even the smallest speck of light piercing the darkness. When
you find yourself in the darkness of violence and all the hurt and
pain that comes with it, it can be difficult to see the light of a
safe harbor. I promise you it’s there, if you are hurting look for
the lighthouse, in pastors, teachers, friends, or relatives who the
hold light of Christ out like a beacon. Look for the “lighthouse”
someone who means it when they say, “You are safe.”
Lord
of light, help me see your light in others especially when the
darkness is overwhelming. Amen.
*****
Rev. Andrea Brownlee is the Senior Pastor as First Christian Church in Perry Iowa. She has been serving in congregational ministry for 12 years and has served churches in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Iowa.
*****
Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org.
Rev. Andrea Brownlee is the Senior Pastor as First Christian Church in Perry Iowa. She has been serving in congregational ministry for 12 years and has served churches in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Iowa.
*****
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