We all find ourselves in situations that, by nature, are dark or that demand a level of light that would allow us to see better.
A dark time in my life came after I graduated from high school, a few moons back, and I was faced with the question, “What am I going to do with my life?”. There were several options to consider but not all were viable or attainable for me. I entered a season in my life where I needed light, I needed clarity to be able to make decisions according to my reality and God’s will for me.
Cancer has a way of introducing people to a dark time. This has been the case with my son-in-law, my daughter, my wife, others and me. As my son-in-law received a cancer diagnosis, the lights were dimmed and what became obvious was a great amount of questions no one could answer for him.
Recently, I have found myself involved in conversations that portray different human experiences ranging from family crisis, abusive situations, addictions that destroy lives, marriage disappointments, deaths, physical elements and limitations that change lives in tremendous ways, lives gripped by anxiety and fears, and the list goes on and on.
I ask myself these days, “Is light all we need?”.
I have recently found, through someone else, the answer to this question. In Psalm 27, King David addresses God, his Lord, as his “light and salvation”. The combination of these two realities is so comforting! When I face dark, difficult times in my life I do need light to see better, to uncover what is concealed, and to gain better perspective. But I also need a Savior in the room. Seeing better is not sufficient. Seeing and not having appropriate and timely help can send anyone to despair. Jesus can do both and it is him whom I want in the room of every moment of my life. He claimed to be light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Furthermore, he is able to save, he has been given authority over all and he lacks no power to accomplish what is good for me and what ultimately brings glory to Him.
King David did not stop there. He concluded the thought: because the Lord is my light and my salvation, I will not fear. Fear is placed in its proper place when I realize that I am not left to figure out life on my own and that someone able to help is in the room with me.
So as you face your dark moments in life, remember that Jesus can offer to you what you need the most and the best. And as you get to experience His “light and salvation” you will be encouraged as King David was to believe and to wait (verses 13-14):
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!”
—Diego Cuartas
