Psalm 139:11-12 – If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (NIV)

Throughout this week, I've been at Montreat College with our senior high youth for their annual conference. It's about my tenth visit, and as usual, our church's teenagers are great witnesses to our congregation and faith. Our Youth Director, Becca Berry, ministers to the young people in both an exceptional and encouraging way. I'm along as the "other leader", and also to learn a great deal from our youth about what's relevant to them right now.

The college campus is beautiful and is worth visiting, even if it's just for a day. The college is situated at the foot of Black Mountain, North Carolina, and at its heart, there is a beautiful loch called Lake Susan.

This week, I've been taking photographs all over the campus, especially ones of the lampposts around Montreat. Most of the lampposts are for lighting stairways and dark overgrown areas, but some of them are situated just for their beauty. During the day, some of the lampposts look average, but when darkness descends, they beautify the whole campus with a warm, embracing light, which is both peaceful and powerful.

In dark and gloomy moments, when our lives are overshadowed with sorrow, worry, and grief, it's comforting and reassuring to know that Christ is our light, and that the darkness is not dark to Him. He beautifies our lives with His own everlasting peace and powerful light.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world, and therefore, we cannot be overcome with the darkness of despair or the shadows of sorrow. We bask in Your light and seek to be strengthened with Your power and peace. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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