Light in the Darkness

[Fez]

On Friday night I camped out in the African Game reserve that I help manage with 16 men from my church. We were in an area of the park that public cannot access and about 10 miles from the nearest habitation. We camped under a grove of trees, no amenities, no water, and just wild African bush. We took no electrical technology, just our tents, food, a gas cooker and drinking water.

Where we camped has no fences, and we were surrounded by animals like hippo, buffalo, leopard, elephant, hyena, bush pig, etc. As the sun goes down it gets very dark out there, and the only light we had was a fire in the centre of the camp.

There were two hippo males fighting a few hundred feet from our camp in the dark. They made an awful racket as they tore into each other, and further out we could hear hyena’s calling (we lock food away when we sleep because they raid the area, even pulling barbeque grids off into the darkness). They eat cooler boxes and anything plastic or leather....

As we worshiped and shared among the sounds of Africa a thought came to me....

Jesus said, Mat_5:15 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.

Mat_5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Our fire was the only light for a 10 mile radius, and had there been someone out there in the darkness, it is what they would have headed for. They would have been hoping for shelter, food and water, and a welcoming safe atmosphere.

When Jesus spoke of us being the light and using it as an example, I am sure that He had the same sort of scenario in mind. The Negev was/is a dark place at night, and a light on a hill can probably be seen from miles around. It would attract those lost in the darkness, or those just seeking shelter.

So in your walk today, think of yourself of the only light for a distance around you, and look for those seeking comfort from it.

Forget about the neon signs, bar signs, club signs, traffic lights, and headlights, for in this fallen world they often shine with an artificial light, and at times are even the darkness themselves...

You are the light in the darkness. And sometimes, to someone, you will be the only true light they can see.

Blessings

[goldust59]

A timely reminder Fez, thank you for sharing.

[angels4u]

On Friday night I camped out in the African Game reserve that I help manage with 16 men from my church. We were in an area of the park that public cannot access and about 10 miles from the nearest habitation. We camped under a grove of trees, no amenities, no water, and just wild African bush. We took no electrical technology, just our tents, food, a gas cooker and drinking water.

Where we camped has no fences, and we were surrounded by animals like hippo, buffalo, leopard, elephant, hyena, bush pig, etc. As the sun goes down it gets very dark out there, and the only light we had was a fire in the centre of the camp.

There were two hippo males fighting a few hundred feet from our camp in the dark. They made an awful racket as they tore into each other, and further out we could hear hyena’s calling (we lock food away when we sleep because they raid the area, even pulling barbeque grids off into the darkness). They eat cooler boxes and anything plastic or leather....

As we worshiped and shared among the sounds of Africa a thought came to me....

Jesus said, Mat_5:15 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.

Mat_5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Our fire was the only light for a 10 mile radius, and had there been someone out there in the darkness, it is what they would have headed for. They would have been hoping for shelter, food and water, and a welcoming safe atmosphere.

When Jesus spoke of us being the light and using it as an example, I am sure that He had the same sort of scenario in mind. The Negev was/is a dark place at night, and a light on a hill can probably be seen from miles around. It would attract those lost in the darkness, or those just seeking shelter.

So in your walk today, think of yourself of the only light for a distance around you, and look for those seeking comfort from it.

Forget about the neon signs, bar signs, club signs, traffic lights, and headlights, for in this fallen world they often shine with an artificial light, and at times are even the darkness themselves...

You are the light in the darkness. And sometimes, to someone, you will be the only true light they can see.

Blessings

Thanks for sharing,you had quite a day ....

Wow-- amazing all that wildlife all around you!

You're right the light of this world is very artificial,can you imagine if there were no Christians around how dark this world will be?

Thanks--Angels

[gdemoss]

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine...let it shine.

Gary

[OldShep]

Wish I was out there with your group Fez...Thanks for sharing..

[kakieanne]

Thanks for sharing Fez. What a great experience. It would be so wonderful just to be able to look up and see the beauty

of the heavens with hundreds or thousands of stars. What a fabulous place to pray.

My daily prayer is that I will be like a clear glass vessel that the Lord's light can shine through. And then I ask Him to please

clean the dirty, filthy, smudgy glass that is me...so that His light can shine through it.

Blessings,

Kathy

[firestormx]

Thank you for sharing Fez, that was a blessing to read. What a great reminder.

[Leonard]

On Friday night I camped out in the African Game reserve that I help manage with 16 men from my church. We were in an area of the park that public cannot access and about 10 miles from the nearest habitation. We camped under a grove of trees, no amenities, no water, and just wild African bush. We took no electrical technology, just our tents, food, a gas cooker and drinking water.

Where we camped has no fences, and we were surrounded by animals like hippo, buffalo, leopard, elephant, hyena, bush pig, etc. As the sun goes down it gets very dark out there, and the only light we had was a fire in the centre of the camp.

There were two hippo males fighting a few hundred feet from our camp in the dark. They made an awful racket as they tore into each other, and further out we could hear hyena’s calling (we lock food away when we sleep because they raid the area, even pulling barbeque grids off into the darkness). They eat cooler boxes and anything plastic or leather....

As we worshiped and shared among the sounds of Africa a thought came to me....

Jesus said, Mat_5:15 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.

Mat_5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Our fire was the only light for a 10 mile radius, and had there been someone out there in the darkness, it is what they would have headed for. They would have been hoping for shelter, food and water, and a welcoming safe atmosphere.

When Jesus spoke of us being the light and using it as an example, I am sure that He had the same sort of scenario in mind. The Negev was/is a dark place at night, and a light on a hill can probably be seen from miles around. It would attract those lost in the darkness, or those just seeking shelter.

So in your walk today, think of yourself of the only light for a distance around you, and look for those seeking comfort from it.

Forget about the neon signs, bar signs, club signs, traffic lights, and headlights, for in this fallen world they often shine with an artificial light, and at times are even the darkness themselves...

You are the light in the darkness. And sometimes, to someone, you will be the only true light they can see.

Blessings

Beautiful Brother Fez!