Through the Trees
We were driving up the road, early on a Saturday. Ray and I were headed to my parents house to pick up our little boys. Ray asked to turn on a song he had been practicing for Sunday morning since he helps lead worship at our church. As the music played and Ray sang I found myself staring at the road, at peace, completely content, resting. Suddenly my eyes caught a glimpse of gold burning across the morning sky, an explosion of warm tones captivated my attention and ignited a hunger for more in my heart. I watched the translucent clouds float with ease between the sunrise and I, bringing depth and dimension into the mix. The sunrise was distant, but those two sweet clouds made me feel like it wasn't too far.
An unfortunate reality came moments later, something anyone has to face living in mountainous terrain blanketed by forests... the trees cut off my line of sight from the sunrise and for a moment I held my breath. I knew the tree line was approaching but my heart and mind were engrossed in view of the sun — no battling between them — just peace and awe. Then the trees hit, my sunrise vanished and darkness crept over our vehicle.
But my sun was not gone.
It was still rising.
Nothing the trees did could stop the sun from rising, all they could do was block my view of the sun. My mind clung to reality and knew the sun was still there but my heart broke away and saw only trees. And then just before I had the chance to drop my head and look at my phone... because if I couldn't see something miraculous I might as well distract myself... a warm flash of light kissed my face. The sunrise was flickering through the dark tree line. I couldn't see the full view of the sunrise that had captivated me, but I could see bits and pieces of it thriving and rising among the branches. It was all I needed to believe it was still rising, still at work, still there.
I stared out my window the rest of the ride up, I didn't want to look anywhere else even if I wasn't always guaranteed a miraculous hue. Sure there were other things I could have admired and noticed to the North, South and West... but none compared to the glistening treasure from the East.
And then God brought my heart and mind back together and whispered truth. How often do we feel the trees? Isn't it easier to look in other directions rather than wait for, search for, long for a glimpse of our Savior? So many times in my life I see those trees and my peace is robbed and I allow darkness to creep in... all because God wasn't flooding my life with His light at times. But was I looking for the light? Or had I already changed direction with my eyes?
God is clear, there is but one way. One direction. One. And if we search for Him, we will find Him... and we will see the light streaming through the darkness.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15
The enemy of our Lord knows if he can only distract you enough... discourage you enough... then he can destroy what faith remains. The last thing he wants is for a believer to remember that the Son has risen and the light is rising still.
Darkness relished for three hours when our Savior died.
Darkness remembers how bright the light was on the day Jesus rose again. Darkness knows the taste of defeat. Darkness also knows we were not there for the days of walking with Jesus on earth.
Darkness knows we did not experience being fed among the 5000. Matthew 14:13
Darkness knows we were not on the boat when Jesus walked on water. Matthew 14:22
Darkness knows we didn't see the mud wiped from a blind man's eyes. John 9
Darkness hopes that if it can block enough of the light - often enough - then perhaps we will forget what the warmth of the sunrise feels like. Darkness hopes we won't remember the gift our Savior gave us when He rose again (John 3:16). Darkness hopes we lay down our righteous armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Darkness hopes we become distracted with meaningless things (phone, media, materials, etc) so we will miss moments with our Savior and thus moments to grow and strengthen in Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Darkness hopes we lose sight of our mission (Matthew 22:34-40).
Darkness hopes we will forget what our Savior declared in John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Darkness hopes we will forget what our Savior said about us in Matthew 5:14-15
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
When the trees of life seem to block your view of the sun rising... look for the light still. Let me say that again.
When the trees of life seem to block your view of the sun rising... look for the light still.
When circumstances seem to block your view of your Savior rising in your life... look for Him still. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
And when darkness seems so thick you can't see the light through the trees... my friend look up.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3
