2008-06-25 14:58:00
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Stephen and Brooksyne have reversed roles today. Brooksyne is the writer and Stephen is the editor in the following message:
Seven weeks ago today I began a very unfamiliar journey that brought about major changes in my life; from mobility to immobility, independence to dependence, from brokenness to healing. When I broke my ankle on May 7th it completely changed my ability to get up, stand up, and walk without the assistance of crutches or a wheelchair. It has brought about major changes in my life and that of my family as well.
This morning when the birds awakened me with their lovely songs at 5:30 am, I was thrilled to realize that I no longer have a cast molded to my left leg, ankle, and foot. It was so easy to lift my leg over the bed and refreshing to feel the natural air in place of a hardened cast. Yesterday I it removed and Dr. Lyons said he would trust me to proceed with caution so that I don't even have to wear a brace or air cast! I am still not allowed to bear any weight on the leg or foot for three more weeks, but I am on the way to independence once again. Yippeeee!!
In the course of my seven week journey I was fitted with four splints (plaster casts with a slight opening to allow for swelling) and then finally my fiberglass cast that I've worn for the past four weeks. Of all the casts my favorite one was the fiberglass cast featured in the photo today (yes, I did give permission for Stephen to feature this one for illustration purposes). It was much lighter than the previous four plaster casts which made it much easier to bear the cumbersome weight while using crutches. But the thing I liked most about it was that it was a "Glow in the Dark" cast!
The first night I got up in our dark bedroom and expected to turn on the light, but when I looked down at my cast I was pleasantly surprised to see that my casted leg actually glowed with light – it was luminescent. Stephen, Ester and I had a lot of fun looking at it in a darkened room. They said, "It looks like a bodiless cast walking in the dark." But more importantly it became a functional help to me as it slightly lit the path for me as I scooted along with my crutches in the darkened bedroom or hallway.
That got me to thinking. When darkness surrounds us the Lord Jesus is our light and He lights the path before us. The cast I wore for four weeks certainly was not bright enough to light the entire room, but its glow did cast enough light for me to take one step at a time carefully. In a psalm of praise after fleeing from King Saul's rage David wrote, "You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light" (2 Samuel 22:29).
David continued to flee the rampage of Saul's violent temper and unharnessed jealousy for quite some time. The overall darkness was not lifted, but he had escaped the most recent flare up of his enemy and he devoted time to giving thanks for His deliverance.
Much like David we rejoice when we experience victory after the assault of our enemy, the devil. He is vigilant in his pursuit of entrapping the believer. Charles Spurgeon wrote concerning this enemy: "The great tyrant has not forgotten you, and he designs your capture and re-enslavement."
Satan wants to surround our lives with darkness so that we will be immobilized or stumble over the objects he strategically places in our path, such as discouragement, strife or fear. But Jesus goes before us and illuminates our path, one step at a time, making us aware of what looms in the darkness. We're cautious as we follow in His steps knowing that getting ahead of Him will plunge us into darkened and dangerous territory. But even if we should get off course or fall behind we have the blessed assurance that "though we stumble, we will not fall, for the Lord upholds us with His hand" (Psalm 37:24).
"God never gives guidance for two steps at a time. I must take one step, and then I get light for the next. This keeps the heart in abiding dependence upon God" (C.H. Mackintosh). Keep holding onto His hand, dear brothers and sisters, and follow in His lightened path, one step at a time.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, there are many paths from which we can choose to walk. But I choose to walk the illumined path You have laid out for me, for it is the righteous path that leads to eternal life. It may take me through valleys that are overshadowed by doubt, discouragement, danger, or difficulty, but You uphold me with Your hand as You lead me one step at a time. Thank You for Your daily provision! Amen.
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