light
We took a few days. To steal away. To steal some time back. To hide away in a cabin down in a holler in the mountains. And yes, I did just call it a holler...because that is the best and only way to call it just what it is. Backwoods, literally in the back of the woods. Down a mountain, nestled in a valley with a stream running by the front porch. Trees overhanging. Mountain hills rising on all sides.
Sunlight has to crest mountains and peek through trees to find the cabin. But oh, it has. Twice just this morning. Sunlight a stunning ray gleaming over the mountain, through the trees, over one eave of the roof and under another, inside a window at just the right angle, right onto my face.A light in my eyes.Literally. Yet figuratively, what was prayed over me just the night before when we gathered to uplift each other before the Lord. They prayed for “a light in my eyes.” And now this very morning, in different rooms, while doing different things...a light in my eyes. Inside, nestled in the holler, light reaches through. A unique expression of truth and love over me, on me, in me.
This repeated theme in Scripture of Light is found to dwell with, save and direct God’s people. To show His glory rising! To shine before the world, drawing hearts. To radiate freedom of coming clean, bringing sweet depth of relationship. To push back darkness.Ellie Holcomb writes songs that push back the darkness in my heart and welcome the light of Christ to reign. Her song “Marvelous Light” was written in overflow as she read Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga books (oh please, please read them if you haven’t!). There is a line in the second book, North or Be Eaten!, speaking of a character named Podo, “He moved through the days in peace and wonder, for his whole story had been told for the first time, and he found that he was still loved.” (page 321)Known and still loved. And isn't this unconditional love what our hearts so desperately long for? And yet we try to do things, to perform, to earn this love our hearts crave. And yet if it is earned, it cannot be unconditional...can it? This light invades and frees and allows us to be known and still loved.My whole story includes that I rely on myself entirely too much. I have chosen it and it has crept out in me. I have tried to hide, only pushing me to rely on myself even more. But this Light has found me!The Creator God’s Light that lives within me, overcomes me, saves me, shows me which path to take, tells of His glory now and coming, draws hearts of the world around radiating joy and inviting genuine relationship. A light in my eyes.Won’t you let this Morning Star arise in your hearts? Together to walk in sweeter depth of relationship. With a light in our eyes.
Enjoy this song from Ellie and then please go find the Wingfeather Saga and start reading it. You can download “Marvelous Light” free here and you can borrow my Wingfeather series if you happen to be nearby.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-5axIcYFVA&w=560&h=315]