One summer evening, when I lingered in my garden long after sunset, I realized how black the trees and flowers appeared silhouetted against the light gray of the sky. Although I knew my summer garden contained beautiful colors, at that moment—no matter how hard I squinted—I saw only black.
Even though the flowers still had their color, the change in lighting had altered my perception.
It reminded me of my times of intense pain when I’m surrounded by darkness. No matter how hard I try, I cannot see the bright lively colors of life. I see only black. And I’m left with no choice but to wait and go through the night until it’s time for the morning light.
But waiting is stressful and hard because in life we don’t know when the light is going to break through. Simply waiting is also much more difficult than doing something to remedy our situation. Oswald Chambers says, “One of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God.”[i]
It takes strength and courage for me—for us all—to endure the stress that comes with the times of darkness and waiting. But if we wait and follow God’s leading, the light will break through, our perceptions will change, and once again we will be able to see and enjoy the beautiful colors all around us.
Reflection for Gaining More: Hold on with confidence that the dawn of a new day will once again reveal the brilliant colors that you cannot see in the darkest time.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13 NIV).
[i]Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, February 22.
