Night Light

Isaiah 50:10b – Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (NIV)

When our sons were much younger, they would enjoy the trips that we took that led us past the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One runway in particular runs parallel with the highway, and if we were fortunate, we would pass by just as an aircraft was either landing or taking off. For two lucky boys, they would have a minivan window seat that provided a brief, unobstructed view of a jumbo jet lumbering off the earth, or one slowly descending with a small puff of smoke as the wheels grabbed hold of the waiting pavement. Of course, they took great pleasure in narrating the event to their brothers, who feigned disinterest.

On one occasion, we happened to drive by just as a DC-10, "one of the planes daddy built", touched down in Toronto. Michael was entranced by the whole process, and so, we entered into a discussion about how big the plane was, how much it weighed, how many people it carried, and where it may have been arriving from. During a brief pause, I happened to ask Michael, "Would you rather land a jet during the day or at night?"

He thought for a brief moment (that in itself was a monumental moment), before answering, "At night."

Surprised at his answer and the confidence in his tone, I asked, "Why at night?"

"Because," he swiftly replied, "at night, you would have the runway lights to guide you."

It seemed like such a simple answer, but as I pondered his reply, I began to see his wisdom. During the day, a pilot would have much to distract him and conceal the "narrow way" that is a runway. Below, there would be roads, railway lines, rivers, and highways, while above, the brilliant blue sky and billowing clouds. However, at night, though the way be dark, there would be a light piercing the shadowy veil and illuminating the narrow road that led to safety.

Likewise, in our lives, there is much that we allow to distract us. The world is filled with shiny things and alternate paths that promise to satisfy and make us complete. There is many a broad road that leads to destruction, yet, at first appearance, seems inviting and safe. It can become hard to keep our eyes fixed on home — fixed on Jesus. Perhaps that is why God permits those times of darkness to come upon us. For in those times, His light can be more clearly seen. In those moments, we learn to walk by faith, trusting in His Word to light our path.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (NIV)

Isaiah 42:16 – I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, help us not to be lured by those things around us that seek to undo us. Help us and guide us by the light of Your Son Who gives light to all people. Grant that we may have the privilege of being that city on a hill that lights the way for others. Amen.

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