Not Alone In The Dark
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
Every time I see three of my nephews I know there's one game they are going to want to play and that's a variation of hide and go seek I made up for them where part of the game is all the lights in the house gets turned off and each kid has one flashlight. Recently we were playing and one of my nephews asked to hide with me while one of his brothers were it. So we found a good spot behind a door and waited there in the pitch blackness to be found. At first we were whispering back and forth quietly but when we heard the person who was it getting closer to where we were hiding, we stopped talking. A few seconds later I felt a hand reach out and touch my shoulder, not because we were found, but because my nephew got a little bit afraid and wanted to make sure I was still there. His hand stayed on my shoulder until we were found and able to then turn our flashlights back on.
Our Greatest Fear
In the days since this moment has run through my mind over and over again because I can't help but see the parallel to human nature in it. Because when life gets dark, isn't that our greatest fear too? Not the darkness itself but that we are alone in it?
Right now whether your darkness is divorce or unemployment or depression or discouragement or the death of a loved one or illness or loneliness, let me assure you that no matter how dark it seems, if you're a follower of Jesus, you are not alone. Not only does the living God of the universe know your name and your current situation, Jesus Himself has taken up residence in your heart and no matter what, He has no intention of ever moving!
He Is With Us Always
In Matthew 28:20 we are told one of the last things Jesus said before He departed earth for heaven. He said: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
In 1 John 4:13 we are told: “And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.”
And then again in Colossians 1:27 we are told this wonderful truth: “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
Christ lives in you and the Bible makes it very clear that even when all we see when we look outside is darkness, we have the light Christ, in us and His light is one that can't be extinguished.
When Trouble Hits
When trouble hits there is no need for us to fear that Jesus snuck off somewhere after the lights went out. He's here, right now within you and He's never going to leave.
And if you are facing down darkness right now and aren't a Jesus follower, there's no better time than now to invite Him in. Jesus' death on the cross and accepting His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins means heaven after we die, but it also means God Himself taking up residence in us long before we ever arrive in heaven!
Ask Him In
The name Jesus, Emmanuel, literally means in the translation “God with us”. If you've been living out your life without inviting God to journey with you, there is no better time than now and it's as simple as asking Him in. Pray with me,
Lord Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and were raised three days later. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and life. Take up residence in me and help me to follow you where you lead every day. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
If you just prayed that prayer with me you are about to discover what a difference it makes facing the darkness, knowing you're not alone and you literally have your creator in you, every step of the way. And He's going to give you His strength when you are weary, His peace when you are anxious and His love when you are at your lowest. What a truly amazing and life-changing gift it is!
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