Ever-Present Light By Uyo Jummai Ani (Kiev, Ukraine)

[God’s] lamp shone over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness.   JOB 29:3 (NRSV)

Where I live, we have frequent blackouts, so it’s usually wise to carry a flashlight when it’s dark just in case the power goes out. Early one morning I was going to the bathroom and forgot to take my flashlight with me. But I remembered that my mother saw me leave the room and knew where I was; I had nothing to worry about. I was confident she would bring me a flashlight if there was a power outage. That’s what a mother does — protects her children. Yes, there was a blackout that morning; but just as my eyes were beginning to adjust to the darkness, I saw a light. It was my mom standing right in front of me with that flashlight. I had absolutely nothing to worry about! In our scripture verse, Job is recalling a time in his life when by the light of God he walked through darkness. Just as I trusted my mom to bring me a flashlight, I can trust God to light up any darkness in my life and to direct my path. (See Prov. 3:6.)

TODAY'S PRAYER   Dear Lord, help us to trust you endlessly, no matter the hurt, no matter the pain, no matter the depth of darkness we may experience. Amen.   * * *     TODAY'S READING   Psalm 36:5-9         THOUGHT FOR THE DAY   Today I will trust God’s light to lead me.         PRAYER FOCUS   Those with unreliable electricity