LightJerusalem

"When The Light Went Out In Jerusalem"

October 8, 2003

It was a terrible day on the outskirts of Jerusalem when suddenly the daylight turned into immediate darkness. I do not understand the big earthquake and how everything around is frozen in time. I stand there and look at this innocent One named Jesus as He has died that horrible gruesome death on the wooden cross. My heart is about to burst out of pure fear as I view the scene ahead of me. My knees are shaking and I have broken out in a profuse sweat. Is it any wonder why my life doesn't exit as I observe the weeping and crying out to God on that dreadful day. The cries I hear clearly in my ears are this: Why? Why? Dear God why?

Then I return to my present time which is the year 2003. I am consumed with the reality of that wooden cross and the blood streaming down the hill of calvary. Yes, my Savior who is the One who gave His life has set an example for me as I am consumed with grief. My mind is beginning to comprehend why He gave Himself that day and I now can see why the universe shut down that evening.

So many times in my daily life the lights of hope, happiness, and joy dim. The enemy hotly pursues to rob me of the "light of life." Yes, there have been days when my world came crashing down. It's then that I recognize in that still quietness that I quickly run to the "light of life."

It is there that I realize that my participation in letting fear overshadow me has resulted in the hiding of the "light of life." Mark 4:21 tells us: "And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?"

Those very bushels or beds hide my joy in the Lord. How can I overcome when these walls that surround me are hiding my true joy? It is my "self," the part of my nature that wants control of my universe. Again, I remember Jesus speaking in the Word through His very own example for those who seek Him. "If any man wishes to follow Me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

I am learning to deny self so His light can reflect not only in my inner person but also through my outer person. Yes, that's the answer: when our lights go out or get dim we must run to the source of Jesus Light and be filled.

That is when we fully comprehend that "Jesus Christ is the Light of the world." No more hiding under the bushels or beds in our lives.

We are to just bask in that wonderful "light" of our Savior Jesus Christ.

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