Mist-ified

 For we walk by faith and not by sight.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (DB)

At times in life we find ourselves in need of something specific- a job, a place of worship, a school decision, a friend, or perhaps even a spouse.  We desire clear direction, but the future lies shrouded in mist.  God knows the way through the mist.  Let us take His hand and seek Him first each day, even when we can't see through to the other side.  

Lord, as St. John Henry Newman said, "I do not ask to see the distant scene.  One step enough for me."  Help me to trust in You for the future. 

Stumped

 For He is like a refiner's fire.

--- Malachi 3:2 (RSV)

Remember the half-dead tree of which I spoke?  (See June 7^th – A Truncated Fall).  An arborist successfully removed it last month, leaving behind a large stump.  

Taking matters into our own hands, we lit a fire to the useless lumpy mass of dead pine.  It has been smoldering now for 24 hours, slowly eating away the dead wood.  

Sometimes we are stumped by hard times, but God will use them to refine us.  Fire can destroy in a bad way, but also can be helpful to get rid of dead wood.  Is there dead wood in my life that needs removal? 

Lord, allow me to submit to Your purifying fires in order to remove the dead wood in my life.

Reflecting the Light

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

--- II Corinthians 4:6

There was a wedding across the pond last night.  Festive reception music echoed out over the water in celebration of the bride and groom.  As darkness set in, the lights took on a hallowed glow, shining upon the water.  Their image reflected perfectly to double the impact of the light.

I hope and pray the newlyweds were people of faith.  Then, in the same way their wedding lights gleamed out into the darkness, they can radiate hope into a dark world.  Together, their impact will be doubled. 

Lord, let us shine Your light into dark places, reflecting hope to those who see us from near and far.