Emphasis Preaching Journal

Pastor Joe is not a morning person, but every day before dawn his wife drags him out of bed and takes him, along with the dogs, for a walk. There is a small park a block from their house and their usual habit is a full circuit of the park, about a mile all together. It is still dark out, and though the park is illuminated, it isn't very bright, and besides, at that hour of the morning Joe's eyes are closed more than they are open.

On very rare occasions, Joe gets to sleep in and arise at a more humane hour and leisurely pace before taking the dogs for the morning stroll through the park. It is on those relaxed mornings that he is reminded of a great truth. It is hard to see in the dark. Walking in the park in the dark, you don't see the weeds in the grass. You don't see the trash that blows up under the bushes. You don't see the cracks in the concrete or the graffiti on the block walls. The darkness obscures the shortcomings and imperfections that are a very real part of the world around us. On those brighter, later morning walks, Joe is often disappointed by what the light has revealed.

Living as Christians, we live in the light that reveals the things the darkness hides. But, God sees through the darkness. God shines a light on the garbage and graffiti of our lives.