Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 ERV

Life has felt dark at times lately. Not just all the terrible things that happen far too often in this fallen and broken world, but in my personal life too.

A sweet loving husband with a brain that’s wired a little different to most of us, mentally and emotionally, making it hard at times for him to understand and be in the world; and also with a chronic health condition that causes multiple physical disabilities. His aging mother, needing more and more support. My aging parents, too many thousands of miles away. Financial challenges. Writing deadlines I don’t know how I can meet.  Even simply looking in the mirror and seeing a fat, tired, middle-aged woman I don’t know how I became staring back at me.

My life is no harder than anyone else’s. In many ways, I’m blessed. But it can feel hard and it can feel dark. It’s all too easy to focus on the darkness, and take my eyes off the light of Jesus. Even if I don’t think I can see it, the light is still there. I just need to put my focus back where it belongs. On Him.

Lord, You promised that if I follow You, I won’t live in the darkness. But sometimes, it seems I can only see darkness all around me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on Your light. Help me to follow You more closely, drawing nearer to Your light. Not ignoring the darkness. Not pretending it doesn’t exist. But knowing You are the light that will bring us safely home. All I need to do is keep following You.

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