Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 14, 2007 22:37:22 GMT -5
When Darkness Comes
By: Tom Norvell
When darkness comes something happens and when darkness comes
something needs to happen.
Twenty-four of us gathered in the chapel in the woods as the Texas sun
was going down. With the sun shining through the beautiful stained
glass, the windows came to life. Brilliant colors illuminated the
room. Detailed markings revealed the identity of the images. The
lighting created a serene atmosphere for the assembled group of
worshippers.
Within a matter of minutes the sun had set leaving only the lights in
the sky and the light from the little chapel to break the darkness.
As the sun left the sky, an interesting change took place in the
stained glass image of Jesus at the front of the chapel. When the
darkness came the image faded. There were no colors. There were no
detailed lines. Just a dark outline of Jesus with His arms
outstretched.
When our time in the chapel ended we walked out into the dark Texas
night. As I turned back to look at the chapel I realized that the
images were alive again. The light inside the chapel made the image of
Jesus come alive. All around was darkness, but the light from the
chapel revealed Jesus with arms opened wide to invite all those in the
darkness to leave the darkness and come into the presence of His light
and love.
When darkness comes something happens. It becomes difficult to see.
Dangers of the night are hidden. It is difficult to find one's way in
the darkness. When darkness comes we can easily lose our way, we can
get disoriented, we can become frightened, and we may lose hope.
when darkness comes_2When darkness comes something needs to happen.
Like the light from the chapel that reveals the image of Jesus, our
lives should bring light that allows those in the darkness to see
Jesus.
Something very good happened inside the chapel. God was glorified.
Hearts were touched. Some hearts were changed. Burdens were lifted.
Through the reading of the Word and joining of our hearts in song the
presence of Jesus became apparent, His light shined upon us, the
vision for our mission became something we could grasp, and our task
became something we believe we can achieve. Our time in the chapel was
good. We loved it. We will probably never forget it. We could have
stayed longer. But, the darkness called us to leave the chapel.
So it is with life. There comes a time when the light that shines
inside the chapel, the light that is revealed in our worship, and the
light that radiates from our spiritual discussions, must be taken out
into the darkness. When darkness comes, those in the darkness need the
light. They need the light and we have the light. They need the light
and we can give them the light. Though we might prefer to stay inside
where it is safe, and quiet, and serene, and wonderful, our task is
outside. Our mission is in the darkness. Our role is to bring the
light.
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV).
Darkness has come. Something needs to happen. The light is what is
needed. We are the light. It is time we go into the darkness.
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2007. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
By: Tom Norvell
When darkness comes something happens and when darkness comes
something needs to happen.
Twenty-four of us gathered in the chapel in the woods as the Texas sun
was going down. With the sun shining through the beautiful stained
glass, the windows came to life. Brilliant colors illuminated the
room. Detailed markings revealed the identity of the images. The
lighting created a serene atmosphere for the assembled group of
worshippers.
Within a matter of minutes the sun had set leaving only the lights in
the sky and the light from the little chapel to break the darkness.
As the sun left the sky, an interesting change took place in the
stained glass image of Jesus at the front of the chapel. When the
darkness came the image faded. There were no colors. There were no
detailed lines. Just a dark outline of Jesus with His arms
outstretched.
When our time in the chapel ended we walked out into the dark Texas
night. As I turned back to look at the chapel I realized that the
images were alive again. The light inside the chapel made the image of
Jesus come alive. All around was darkness, but the light from the
chapel revealed Jesus with arms opened wide to invite all those in the
darkness to leave the darkness and come into the presence of His light
and love.
When darkness comes something happens. It becomes difficult to see.
Dangers of the night are hidden. It is difficult to find one's way in
the darkness. When darkness comes we can easily lose our way, we can
get disoriented, we can become frightened, and we may lose hope.
when darkness comes_2When darkness comes something needs to happen.
Like the light from the chapel that reveals the image of Jesus, our
lives should bring light that allows those in the darkness to see
Jesus.
Something very good happened inside the chapel. God was glorified.
Hearts were touched. Some hearts were changed. Burdens were lifted.
Through the reading of the Word and joining of our hearts in song the
presence of Jesus became apparent, His light shined upon us, the
vision for our mission became something we could grasp, and our task
became something we believe we can achieve. Our time in the chapel was
good. We loved it. We will probably never forget it. We could have
stayed longer. But, the darkness called us to leave the chapel.
So it is with life. There comes a time when the light that shines
inside the chapel, the light that is revealed in our worship, and the
light that radiates from our spiritual discussions, must be taken out
into the darkness. When darkness comes, those in the darkness need the
light. They need the light and we have the light. They need the light
and we can give them the light. Though we might prefer to stay inside
where it is safe, and quiet, and serene, and wonderful, our task is
outside. Our mission is in the darkness. Our role is to bring the
light.
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV).
Darkness has come. Something needs to happen. The light is what is
needed. We are the light. It is time we go into the darkness.
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2007. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.