SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord Who rises with healing in His wings;

When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

- William Cowper, "Sometimes a Light Surprises"

Storms blew through Obion County this weekend. Real gulley-washers, by our driveway's testimony.

But today, sunshine.

In other ways, we have endured much storm and rain here at Kendallville over the past several months. Deep hurt, great grief, a tumult of confusion, so much pain, so many tears.

Do you think Noah, on the ark, ever looked out at the rain and the rising floodwaters and thought, "Lord, will it never end?"

As yesterday's last cloudburst tapered to a soft, sweet drizzle, a great rainbow arced from horizon to horizon, illuminating the rain-soaked hayfield.

Noah saw a rainbow, too.

"Sometimes a light surprises..."

Like sunlight through rain, shattering gray into glory.

Like an old friend, long absent, now present, reacquainted.

Like the gospel, forsaken, rejected, forgotten...

...rediscovered, quickening, shattering death into vigorous life.

Like a bright spark in a once-dull eye, fueled by a glowing ember in the heart, bursting into flame, illuminated by the gospel.

Out of nowhere, a lost and weary friend, now a near, joyful, very-much-alive brother, this new faith radiating light and warmth into our own dark, rain-soaked places.

Sometimes a light surprises.

I cannot but rejoice.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12

"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." - Luke 15:6-7