Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
As the days grew shorter in the latter part of summer, I had a more difficult time squeezing in my running workouts before breakfast on the long-run days. One Sunday my workout said to run 24 miles, as I was training for my first marathon. In order to get in such a long run and still make it to the second church service, I needed to leave at 5 a.m. Setting my alarm for 3 a.m. I got up to have my TEA time with Jesus. But by 5 a.m. it was still dark out, so I took a flashlight and put bear bells on my ponytail. The big flashlight was a little cumbersome as I made my way down the highway in the last hour before dawn, but I was thankful for the light, pushing aside the darkness, pointing out any stumbling blocks, and shining into the distance to alert possible travelers.
And I started to think, “Hmm…this would make a good devotion,” as I often do when I’m running and praying. My flashlight was lighting the highway just as God’s Word lights the path we should take. We have to get into His Word and read our Bibles every day so we can have this light. Jesus is the light who came into the world and now His Spirit lives inside us.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
Now as the autumn days grow even shorter, I have the same trouble I had in August, trying to squeeze in just a short run before breakfast. It is still dark at 7:30 a.m. So once again, I pull out my flashlight and shine it into the darkness. But soon I will have to give up the outside runs to darkness and snow, visiting the gym where I hope I can shine for Jesus, too.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Another day I was having my quiet time and God showed me this verse…
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
The funny thing was that when I was reading this verse, our power was out and I had only a little flashlight to illuminate my Bible. I think of how one single candle and many mirrors could light up a room. Help me be that candle or mirror and reflect your light to a world in darkness. Thank you for shining Your light into my darkness. Keep shining Jesus! Keep me shining!
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear TEA friend, use your quiet time this morning to recharge your batteries. Read your Bible. Let God’s Word kindle that spark in your heart, shining out through your eyes and smile and hands and actions to a world that so desperately needs the light of Jesus.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)
For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28 (NKJV)
If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like A Runner’s TEA CUPP and My Light TEA, Or today’s devotion from Our Daily Bread which I just noticed is on the same theme with another powerful story.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV)
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12 (NKJV)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
