In The Dark

LIGHT DISPELS DARKNESS:

Ruth 3: 2 "Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor..”

We had to travel around two hours in the public bus to reach the meeting venue which was a remote village. We did not anticipate severe mosquito bites which was actually pricking my legs all through the journey, the crowd was jam-packed and I was unable to even shake my legs. When we finally reached the village it was pitch dark around 8 pm, no street lights, as we stood there tired, exhausted and depleted of all energy, we found 2 church members standing at the bus stop. One of them gave his bike to us and told us to follow them, it was eerie to ride in a new place with no lights. Faithfully my husband followed the bike and we reached the church venue.

The church was abuzz with activity with church members getting the church ready for the next day prayer meetings. We entered the house of the pastor which was very tiny with two rooms, after dinner we were made to sleep in one room while the pastor, his wife and his two small girls slept in the other room. There was another great challenge, if I wanted to use the toilet, I have to go outside the house and walk in the dark to the far end of the corner. Very early the next day, my husband and I woke up to pray and found the pastor and his family already at work, cooking food for the convention meeting. As sunrise was slowly dispelling the darkness of the night, the pastor invited us to come out for coffee. His two little girls woke up and wished us ‘praise the Lord’ cheerfully. When we stepped out of his small house, what we saw was sheer DELIGHT! His small house was built in the midst of a vast acre of land with mountains all around, enormous number of trees and garden. We saw rabbits running around, birds, chicks, turkeys , puppies and whole lot of other lovely things that made the place look like a little heaven.

Since we were very tired the previous night when we arrived and since it was already too late, the pastor took us inside to rest immediately after food. We were served coffee in the garden as we sat in the midst of huge trees, we could see the Hands of God giving us a great treat. Actually since my husband and I were working very hard in the ministry, this break was planned by God for us, the pastor’s family refused to send us on the same day, he took our clothes for washing and extended our stay and the meetings. Friend, through this experience of my mine, I would like to tell you that God is working for you in the dark. When Ruth travelled to the house of Boaz in the dark, imagine the pain and loneliness that she might have felt, little did she know that he was going to become her care taker and husband. It’s always darkest before dawn.

Never lose hope.

Walking in the dark!

Isaiah 50:10,11 " Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled --- This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.”

God spoke the above scripture to me when I was going through a severe dark period in our ministry and my own personal life. An avalanche of problems and pain gushed on me and threatened to topple me. But I thank God, if not for my severe fasting and hard prayers, I would have gone crazy!

I write this particular portion, after walking almost ten years with Him. Just as I was blissfully dreaming of new openings for my ministry, God was closing almost all the present doors of ministry. The “My Delight” daily devotional magazine which was my passion was slowly dwindling. Freshly printed books, the sheen still on them, were stacked in bundles in the corner of the Printer’s office. We did not have funds to take delivery of them. Days were turning to weeks, yet we could see no light. The pain in my heart knew no bounds!

The financial crisis that we were facing was threatening to throttle us like never before. Our current bill, rent bill and maintenance bills were outstanding, it was the most embarrassing time in my ministry. I felt a total wreck. I wondered what would I answer my kids if the power was cut by the electricity board officials! How could I face them! This was truly a dark period in our life. I could truly relate to the miseries of Job when he