TUESDAY

Exodus 13:21

• What’s the importance of light in this verse?

Working at summer camp in rural Idaho had some extraordinary perks. For example, the stars were always absolutely spectacular. Constellations were smattered across the night sky like paint droplets on a canvas—I found myself praying in awe. This had to be the work of a divine Creator.

One night, my friend Makayla and I hiked up to a good spot to stargaze on our night off. As we were making our way up the hill, her flashlight suddenly turned off. Makayla muttered a few choice words as she fidgeted with the batteries, saying something about the mistake of not bringing extra double A’s. Stumbling to a stop, I tried to be patient with my eyes as they calibrated (at a glacial pace) to the new surroundings. A few moments later, I could make out shapes around me and vaguely see a dirt path. The longer I let my eyes adjust, the better I could see, until I finally felt like some sort of nocturnal animal.

“It’s so…bright.” Makayla observed. My thoughts exactly. We thought we’d needed a flashlight, but the stars were bright enough for us to see a way forward.

The stars didn’t make it easy, though. We had to walk a little slower, tread lighter, and be more attentive to the road in front of us. We had to be patient with the journey up the hill with less light. But it was still enough to get us to the top.

Sometimes, God’s light is a burning flame— dramatically obvious with overwhelming clarity in the direction we should go. Sometimes, God’s light is stars millions and billions of miles away— seemingly distant, but enough nonetheless. Sometimes, it may even feel like God’s light is nonexistent. And sometimes, God’s light is available, but we force masks over our eyes because we don’t want to receive guidance.

How’s the light in your life? How bright is God’s light right now? And are there ways that you can look for God’s light more earnestly?