“In Him was life, and that life was the Light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John1:4-5).
Last week I went to a Christian Leadership Conference entitled Catalyst Atlanta. I have always wanted to go, but have never been able to get a ticket nor have had anyone who could go with me. This year, I decided I was going no matter what. So I did!
In life there are fork-in-the-road moments. Moments when you KNOW you are right where God wants you to be and HE confirms it not once, but twice, even three times. Last week was one of those times for me. God, in His grace and mercy, confirmed my decision multiple times. I am learning when “darkness” is prevalent…to move to the “Light!”
I hope this post helps anyone who feels that “darkness” is chasing them…
…the darkness of death, criticism, being judged unfairly, deception, failure, being shunned, sickness… the list could on and on.
Just to be honest and transparent, “darkness” chases all of us.
Satan is the father of darkness and he does seek to kill, steal and destroy. For those of us who are Christians, we are supposed to live in the “Light,” right? Of course we ARE living in the Light but the way I read and understand God’s Word is that if we are being effective for God, obeying and, to the best of our ability, serving exactly where God has called us to serve and live, we will face persecution in all forms. [I call it chased by the darkness!] None of us are excluded. In fact, we are pursued by darkness…it can overshadow us before we know it.
In recent months I have been running from the darkness. The way I have been putting myself to sleep at night is by quoting, in an out loud whisper, John 1:1-5. Best sleeping pill in the world. Satan flees at God’s Word, and I, in essence, am learning to call Satan out! When I get up in the morning, I do it again. Try it…it is very effective.
Satan does run away, but I am recognizing that he returns at an opportune time! Feeling overshadowed recently, I drove last week to immerse myself in the “Light!” Yes, I knew I was going to be surrounded by others who were desiring the same thing. Folks who left the comfort of home, paid money and traveled to be “renewed” and “to learn!” To say the least, I was not disappointed…
The line up of speakers was amazing. Most of them have been my mentors through their books, but some were unknown by me. I don’t think I could pick a favorite but I can say the worship alone brought the brightest light imaginable. All I could think about is, “Wow! heaven will be better than this!” Yes, the worship ushered in the Light and the powerful presence of God Almighty.
I am very excited in the coming weeks to try and write and share all that God had prepared for me to learn at that conference. I greatly hope others can learn from what I plan to share.
Today, I want to encourage you with this…if you feel as if “darkness” is chasing you…RUN to the “Light!”
There are plenty of places to run…to God’s Word, to church, to an online Bible study or podcast, to a good Christian book, to a community Bible study. Plenty of places to go for the RADIANT LIGHT OF CHRIST. For me it was Catalyst Atlanta. It was going by myself to SEEK MORE….to SEEK RENEWAL and RECHARGE and to get “SONBURNT!”
Seek the LIGHT OF HIS Presence. I promise darkness will FLEE. ALWAYS, you can count on…finding divine appointments when you run to the “Light!”
