Light Up The Shadows

Psalm 119:93 -- "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have revived me."

image: New Line Cinema

When the music rode its crescendo as Gandolf peaked the crest of the hill outside Helm's Deep - piercing the darkness with his wizard's staff - goosebumps broke out on my arms. It took every effort to remain seated in the theater and refrain from jumping up and shouting "yes!!"

Reinforcements had arrived, at last! The Fellowship of the Ring was in great peril and had staved off the ever-advancing forces of the evil Orc army so far - but they were quickly over-run. They were out of time it seemed, and the darkness felt to be pushing in from all sides. Where was hope?

...and then it came - as Gandolf brought reinforcements with the rising sun - blazing into glory as the battle for Helm's Deep took on new life and the tables were turned on the brutish Orcs! There was hope, indeed! There was light, and darkness fell silent as courage and "humanity" lit up the shadows of doom and despair.

Whew! - good triumphed over evil and the tense muscles in my shoulders could relax as I let out the breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

Ever feel like the warriors at Helm's Deep? .... like, darkness is closing in all around you and you have no way out? Where is the rainbow after the storm?, you ask. Where is the silver lining on all the gray, gray clouds?

I'll be one of the very first people to admit that things seem pretty dark, right now. I'm not just talking politics and economy, either. I'm talking about the general state of the human race. Humanity just seems to be so very self-absorbed lately. I avoid the news for the most part - because I know there isn't going to be anything good on there. I don't read the paper for the same reason. It's just so -- depressing.

And then - there is a little boy by the name of Drew Wood.

Having been dealt the devastating blow of leukemia as just a little fella this mini super hero has been in intensive care for what feels like forever - fighting an additional medical enemy - one that is yet to be clearly defined. Amid the stormy waters of his little ocean it would seem that his life-boat has sprung a leak. It just felt like the fowl weather had the upper hand - that the shadows became too great and too long to really overcome.

But in this darkness - God has not changed. He is still The Great Physician. He is still All Mighty. And yes, He is still in the miracle business. We cannot forget God's Living Word - His true HOPE, His great mercy! We must not forget that God hears every single prayer we utter in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we prayer warriors rally around Drew and are richly blessed by God's power and amazing, amazing grace - we are given the joy of all kinds of light shining out from one tiny hospital room. We see the light of parents that remain obedient to God in the face of terror and heart-ache. We see Christian brothers and sisters unite in fervent prayer. We see kindness in the faces of health care providers and gentleness in friends and neighbors. We see an outstanding courage in a tiny little body and a heart that emanates the unending love of Jesus Christ.

praying for Drew

It occurs to me - Drew is so very much more than a leukemia patient. His family and his ordeal have become a shining testament to the grace and glory of God!

Take THAT, darkness!

Over the hill, just beyond the horizon is a brilliant and blazing sunrise!!

When we face darkness - we mustn't forget God's Word - His promises, His precepts, His hope - hasn't changed. They are the same as they ever were. We need to allow them to revive us. In God lies our reinforcements, our light in the midst of shadows.


For information/udates on Super Drew Wood's battle and prayer requests pertaining thereto - you can go to First Baptist Church of Orange Park, FL at www.opfirst.org