by Marcia Clarke
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
Sitting alongside the mountains, the cabin windows beamed the radiant glow of burning wood. Bill and Gloria alighted from their car into the brisk wind and scurried into the warmth of the cabin. Gloria made hot chocolate, and they sat quietly reminiscing about how this quiet moment was once just a dream.
They recalled the hardship of losing their business and almost all the possessions they’d worked for. The couple didn’t have a relationship with God; the road to recovery took them through pain, discouragement, and frustration. They had held onto each other, but that proved to be insufficient to overcome the tide of adversity.
Adversity can serve to point us toward God. The Bible speaks of being in the right relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). Nurturing the spiritual aspect of our lives prepares us for good times and bad. God’s desire is that everyone will be in a relationship with him, with our eyes continually on him (Psalm 123:1).
In those dark days, Bill and Gloria hadn’t known how to crawl out of their despair and hopelessness. Their outlook on life was dark. They couldn’t think how to restore their joy and hope for brighter days.
Then, in the bright morning sun of Christmas morning, there was a knock on their cabin door. It was their neighbor of many years. Bill invited him in. In his hand was a brown leather book. Bill offered him a drink, and they sat for many hours talking about his relationship with God and his love for us. Light began to invade their darkness.
The neighbor invited them to his ministry, and their lives were never the same. They found meaning for their lives in the Word of God and began to walk in faith. The amazing love of God will plant us in divine places so that we can receive him. For example, Paul was in prison when the prisoners turned their hearts to God (Acts 16).
I have experienced adversity after adversity in my life. Nothing seems to ever go without issues. I struggled with confidence in myself and fear of rejection. While I always read the Bible, I lacked a truly intimate relationship with God. Then one day he announced himself to me, overwhelming my soul. From that day forward I have never looked back. He is my pilot. God reminds us to seek first his kingdom (Matthew 6:33). When we do, darkness is turned to light. We begin to see truth through the lies and hope through the despair.
It’s not too late for you. The Christmas lights we are seeing everywhere are a sign of how much God loved us when he sent his son, the Light of the World, to save us. You can begin where you are. Don’t discount God’s grace, mercy, and love toward you. He is waiting.
Father, thank you for the Christmas lights that remind me of the treasure of being in the right relationship with you. I cherish the moment I give my heart to you and thank you for your presence that is always with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Marcia Clarke is an author who writes daily encouragement for

meditation and spiritual enrichment. Helping people through difficult seasons through her writing is her greatest passion. She has a passion for sharing encouragement and practical devotion through her daily blog on and enjoys the practice of meditation, yoga, and daily affirmation to create balance in her life. She is the author of Journey to Abundance, which has content-rich affirmation for your meditation experience. Marcia most recent book, Thirty Days of Grace is prayer for every season. Visit her at marcia_clarke5.wixsite.com/todayissacred.
Join the conversation. What has God’s light shown you since he rescued you from darkness?