Isaiah 50:10b – Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the
name of the Lord and rely on his God. (NIV)
When our sons were much younger, they would enjoy the trips that we took that
led us past the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. One runway in particular runs parallel with the highway, and if we were
fortunate, we would pass by just as an aircraft was either landing or taking
off. For two lucky boys, they would have a minivan window seat that provided a
brief, unobstructed view of a jumbo jet lumbering off the earth, or one slowly
descending with a small puff of smoke as the wheels grabbed hold of the waiting
pavement. Of course, they took great pleasure in narrating the event to their
brothers, who feigned disinterest.
On one occasion, we happened to drive by just as a DC-10, "one of the planes
daddy built", touched down in Toronto. Michael was entranced by the whole
process, and so, we entered into a discussion about how big the plane was, how
much it weighed, how many people it carried, and where it may have been arriving
from. During a brief pause, I happened to ask Michael, "Would you rather land a
jet during the day or at night?"
He thought for a brief moment (that in itself was a monumental moment), before
answering, "At night."
Surprised at his answer and the confidence in his tone, I asked, "Why at night?"
"Because," he swiftly replied, "at night, you would have the runway lights to
guide you."
It seemed like such a simple answer, but as I pondered his reply, I began to see
his wisdom. During the day, a pilot would have much to distract him and conceal
the "narrow way" that is a runway. Below, there would be roads, railway lines,
rivers, and highways, while above, the brilliant blue sky and billowing clouds.
However, at night, though the way be dark, there would be a light piercing the
shadowy veil and illuminating the narrow road that led to safety.
Likewise, in our lives, there is much that we allow to distract us. The world is
filled with shiny things and alternate paths that promise to satisfy and make us
complete. There is many a broad road that leads to destruction, yet, at first
appearance, seems inviting and safe. It can become hard to keep our eyes fixed
on home — fixed on Jesus. Perhaps that is why God permits those times of
darkness to come upon us. For in those times, His light can be more clearly
seen. In those moments, we learn to walk by faith, trusting in His Word to light
our path.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (NIV)
Isaiah 42:16 – I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along
unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before
them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will
not forsake them. (NIV)
Prayer: Lord, help us not to be lured by those things around us that seek to
undo us. Help us and guide us by the light of Your Son Who gives light to all
people. Grant that we may have the privilege of being that city on a hill that
lights the way for others. Amen.
Gary Reilly Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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