The Message of Easter for the Dark Places in Our Lives

Recently, I had an ‘episode’. My episode involved my collapsing into a heap on the floor after I ate a food that, apparently, I was allergic to. Scary. Especially for my hubby who watched the episode and had to decide what to do for me.

It was a dark moment. A scary moment.

Life has dark moments. I wish it weren’t true, but it is.

We each have them – it may be health problems, relational losses, family issues, trouble with our children, or a myriad of other problems. We each face dark places and moments that we can’t see a way out of.

I think sometimes we see the dark places in our lives as black holes of nothingness, while we await “real” life to return, our good life. We try to black out our dark moments – wipe them out – delete them from our memory banks and life’s stories.

The truth is, life is very much happening in the dark times as well as the light times of our lives.

I remember hearing Senator John McCain in an interview respond to a question about his “lost years as a prisoner-of-war”. I’ll never forget his response, he explained that those years were never lost. Those years were very real for him, he explained that he lived each and every moment of that time.

 

In the dark places of our lives, things happen. Important things.

“I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places…” – Isaiah 45:3 (KJV)

 

God promises there are treasures to be found in the darkness.

“Even in darkness, light is sown for the righteous.”

Psalm 112:4

 

The message of Easter is light is sown even in our dark places. Jesus’ resurrection alters history – brings life to once dead and dark places.

God shows up in the darkness – the darkness of sin, of evil, of pain and sorrow. God’s not afraid of the dark. He’s got a plan.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transfers us to the kingdom of His beloved son…”

 Colossians 1:13,14

The story of Easter is the story of God changing history – the world’s and our personal stories, as well. We don’t want to miss it – God’s piece – the glory piece. The way God weaves the darkest of threads in our lives into a tapestry that is beautiful – He brings purpose out of what was once darkness.

Have you noticed that it is in the dark, often, where we must choose what to hold onto and what we let go of? It is where we determine our hand holds – our strength. What will I turn to guide me and strengthen me in the dark?

The most holy of acts often occurs in the darkness – surrender– relinquishing our control.

For me, this new food allergy has meant a series of losses – loss of control, loss of enjoying some foods I truly love (OK, chocolate is on that list! Can you feel my pain?). It isn’t the end of my journey or issues with foods, it marks a new stage, and more work on my part trialing foods and gaining more tolerance.

Sometimes I expect God to miraculously remove my dark places – perhaps you were hoping, as I did, for a happy end to my food episode story?

I’m learning God always meets me in the dark places. He’s there. He’s real.

He allows me to experience His presence – a true treasure. He even gives me wisdom. But, rarely, are my troubles removed instantaneously.

God does better than that. God uses the dark places for His good purposes.

He has a better end to my story – a better use for my pain and I can trust Him for the perfect ending. True treasures.

So, today, during my bit of darkness, I open my hands – releasing the outcome. And I hold up my palms expectantly – to receive God’s good as He accomplishes His purposes in and through all things – even the dark places.

Linking up with LyliDunbar’s new link up #FaithonFire,, Holley’s CoffeeformyHeart