blessing the darkness

Published on by Dawn Marie

Some people might say that we find God only when we need Him. Simple words, but true. It’s like looking for the light switch in a dark room. No one goes searching for it until the sunlight has gone. Similarly, darkness can impel our search for God.

I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

Psalm 139:11-12

Genelle Guzman-McMillan was the last survivor pulled from the wreckage after the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001. Genelle tells the story about flirting with faith but choosing to live without it. Then, on September 11, her world fell apart and she found herself in complete darkness, buried alive under a mountain of rubble.

What shocked me most about Genelle’s story was not that she managed to survive after the North Tower collapsed on top of her but how she reflected on that experience. She thanked God for it because it was a wake up call.

In the midst of impenetrable darkness, she discovered his light.

We, too, have found the light that is our salvation. Even so, there are times when we hit patches of darkness, when we don’t know what to do, when we feel challenged beyond our strength. Difficult as it can be to navigate our way through the darkness, it is precisely in the midst of it that we can find God.

Rather than giving in to the gloom that threatens us or those we love, let’s allow it to press us toward God, believing that he is near, whether or not we sense his presence.

Where is the light shining in your life?

“When we seek Him with a stronger passion than we seek anything else (such as solutions or relief), we will find Him… After a long fall through darkness, we will land on the truth of his eternal, almighty, and loving character, and will believe he is always up to something good.”

Larry Crabb

hugs n’ blessings for those who know that He is always up to something good in the lives of those who seek to love Him.

9 thoughts on “blessing the darkness”

  2. Thank you, dear Dawn, for sharing this wisdom and beautiful testimony. Genelle’s story is a blessing! I’m reading books about holiness (the indwelling of the spirit within me and utter relief!) books by W Ian Thomas and John Eldridge. As I study “suffering” too I often think how easy it is to live independently of God when things are going “right”. And in the rubble, we can find his righteousness~and only when one completes gives up self. Near death experiences are many times those “wake up” calls. I’m utterly dependent on Christ. I’m in tears over her story and your words. Once you experienced the dark and rubble (I can’t imagine what she went through!) and find the “light” of our Savior, there’s no other way to live! But through HIM and as a reflection of the light in a darkness. I love you dearly, Dawn. You are a light in this world! 🙏🏻☀️❤️ praise God!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you for the beautiful reflection, Karla! Your beautiful words always bring me to an even deeper level of appreciation and introspection. I identify very personally with that reality of finding His righteousness through a full surrender. How great and might is He!! From the ash He brings us into His healing mercy. (Makes the beloved praise, “How Great thou Art” all the more strong!) Cuppycake & I recently watched the movie “After Death” which was a documentary of scientists, authors and survivors of near-death experiences discuss the spiritual and scientific dimensions of mortality and the afterlife. “Wake up” calls were experienced by most and they were able to conform their hearts like unto His, as a result, was such a gift to watch. We are so unaware most times of the true beauty in life, aren’t we? Praise God for those moments we are “waking up” to! I love you Karla! Hugs to you for the ways in which you stretch & grow me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. My heart is so full! You are so kind, loving, and thoughtful.
        I’m singing “How Great Thou Art!” With you!
        Sister, you stretch and grow me, too.
        I’ll have to check out “After Death”!
        Dawn, I’ve had two near death experiences. I will be sharing a bit of it when I put together my devotional. Today, with tears in my heart and joy in my soul, I went to the Farmer’s Market and a coffee shop (and pet store!) at the market a full circle was made when I ran into the illustrator of my children’s book (and former student ☺️). I just cried. That moment held such significance in this near two year “near glory” experience ~and it’s changed him too! There is nothing coincidental when we live with an eternal perspective and see through the lens of our Lord! I could just shout with joy (but I’m tired now so I’ll just rest and soak in the beauty of your precious spirit and soul). I’m so grateful for you~I’m praising God with you and hugging you so tight in sisterhood and love!❤️🥰🙏🏻

        Liked by 1 person

      2. There is so much to be grateful, isn’t there? And I adore the creative ways in which God reveals this to us. We are so loved by Him – it just over-whelms me at times. I send back a great big-squish to you, dear Sister!

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment