You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. – 2 Samuel 22:29

It was Christmas night. After spending the day in our hometown of Carson City, celebrating Christmas with our family, Travis, the girls, and I began the twenty-five mile drive back home. It was dark and snowy. Visibility was poor as the storm clouds enveloped our car. The beam of our headlights proved to be of only minor assistance in guiding our way, for just as quick as the light left our car, it was met with the beautiful fog of falling snow and the haze of the surrounding storm.

As we drove, the girls slept in the back seat. Travis and I fell silent as the day’s events settled upon us. In the silence, God began to speak. He began to open my eyes to His truths surrounding me.

I love it when this happens! It’s as if my soul is ignited, and I come alive. Excitement fills my heart, and I can’t help but allow it to spill out upon anyone willing to listen.

I broke the silence. “I just love when I see the realities of God in the world around us,” I said to Travis, who looked at me quizzically.

“No, really,” I continued, “Jesus is the light of the world. He comes into the darkness, and He leads us by His light,” I said. “But the light He shines upon our lives is not like a floodlight, lighting everything up all around us, but it’s more like this.” I pointed to the light given by our headlights.

“Oftentimes, this is what it’s like to follow Jesus. He gives us just enough light upon our path to allow us to see our next step. He doesn’t light up the whole way,” I continued with growing passion. “If we are shown what we are to do even a month from now, our faith would wither. We’d become self reliant. Seeing what’s to come doesn’t produce faith. No. Instead, we are shown what’s before us, and Jesus says, trust me with the rest.”

Just at that time, it began to snow harder. Visibility decreased, and I was having a difficult time seeing the road in front of me, so I slowed down but continued. We drove like this for several minutes, my eyes squinting in an attempt to see past the brightly lit snow racing toward the windshield in front of me. But then, a truck passed. The beam of his taillights shone before me, and it was as if God Himself led the way. The red glow of taillights became my guide in the storm.

I chuckled.

“What?” Travis asked.

“That’s just like God,” I said with a smile. “Just when we feel like we are cannot go any further, just when we feel like the darkness will overcome, and we cannot see the path Jesus forges before us, He sends someone to show us the way.”

Honestly, I think Travis thought I was crazy, but I continued anyway. “No, really! It’s true. He never leaves us, nor forsakes us. He lights up our path. He shows us the way. And even when we think all is lost, He surrounds us with others who encourage us and bring us back to the light!”

A moment passed.

“He’s so cool!” I said smirking, shaking my head.

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. – Psalm 43:3

{Jesus is our Light. He will show us the way.}

Have you ever felt like you were in the dark and didn’t know how to proceed?

Share in the comments.

To read more about my journey toward forgiveness, read Freedom Through Grace or {Redemption} Your Testimony May Have Saved a Life.