On the day we moved to our new farm home in January 1940, my eight-year-old world suddenly became larger and more intimidating than ever before. 

After supper, Dad invited me to go with him to check the animals for the night. 

As we walked, my dad’s kerosene lantern swung, its light moving back and forth as though alive. The shadows seemed to move and come ever closer. 

‘Dad!’ I cried out in fear. He suddenly stopped, and I ran smack into him. Dad’s chuckle came just before he said, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just walk to the edge of the light.’

Just as my earthly father comforted me, so our heavenly Father comforts us in our moments of fear, when darkness threatens to consume us. As our quoted verse states, if we follow Jesus, we will never walk in darkness.

When the nightly news is filled with reports of economic stress, terrorism, catastrophic weather and uncertainty for the future of our families, darkness can overwhelm us. 

Yet even in the darkest moments, the light of Christ still goes before us. His light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. We need not fear. Christ is constantly providing a circle of his light as our place of safety and comfort.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, even though the future is not clear, may we find comfort in the knowledge that you are already there, lighting the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen