Wednesday, May 24, 2023

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4

I am from the south. My parents had siblings who migrated to the northern United States in search of more economic opportunity and a better life. The first time I went to New York I traveled by train with my paternal grandmother. I made subsequent trips during my childhood by car. Every summer, dad’s oldest brother would drive to South Carolina to spend three or four weeks with family, and I would ride back with him for a two-week stay up north. One of the highlights of my car trips was traveling through the Lincoln Tunnel. For what seemed like forever, we traveled in darkness, and then finally, we’d be on the other side to light and closer to our destination.

That memory reminds me a little of life. We all go through dark periods in our lives: death, tragedies, one crisis or another. Our circumstances shrouded by darkness is just like a cloud over us or that tunnel riding experience. The car’s headlights guided our paths, but we didn’t have the benefit of the light of day. I was always excited to get to the other side – to see the streets again.

The Good News Translation of the 23rd Psalm says, “ Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.” So, while we may go through things, while we may travel in darkness, we are not alone. During those car trips, I was never afraid because my daddy’s brother was driving. When I became an adult and drove myself to New York, I wasn’t afraid because I knew the headlights would guide me and there would be light on the other side.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that even when I go through dark times, I am not disconnected from you. You are with me – guiding me, keeping me. I am so grateful that as I travel through darkness, you are on the other side. Thank you! In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen