Night Vision

The view from the end of our favorite trail was glorious, the sun beginning to set as my husband and I stood atop granite boulders in the orange glow, receiving the beauty that surrounded us, relishing everything about those moments. "It's a good thing brought my headlight," I commented, as we realized our three-mile hike back to our car would take us a couple of hours. "And we have a quarter moon to help, too," Brent replied.

Soon my light was necessary for me to detect the path and all it consisted of—the rocks, roots, branches and ice patches that could easily trip me. I loved the adventure and mystery of only being able to see a few feet in front me and was grateful for the light strapped to my head to illuminate my steps.

Brent, however, was trailing far behind me. I raced back to him, eager to share my light so he, too, could see the trail. "No, thanks," he said. "I need to be far from your light because, when I'm near you, it ruins the way my eyes have adjusted to the dark, and it throws me off."

I wonder how often I've been insensitive to the need of others when they're going through dark times. My need to rescue kicks in, and I run up to them with whatever light God has given me to "help" them find their way, when it could be a holy time for them to sense God in the night, to know Him in ways they'd never before known Him, to trust Him for each step, to lean on the the vision of the One to whom darkness is as the light of day. 

I'm finding it is important to honor as sacred another's journey and to realize the way in which God is helping me may not be the unique, personal way He is providing for another.

I was thankful for my headlamp as I hiked in the dark. It was a gift to me. And my husband treasured the chance to hike under a starlit sky and a quarter moon, embracing the challenge of discerning his way with only what was provided in the night sky. That was a gift to him.

Isaiah 45:3 says this: "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel."

As well-intentioned as I may be, I could be robbing my loved ones of the promised treasures and hidden riches awaiting them by rushing in with my bright light! 

I'll continue to seek God in my shadowy places, receiving whatever light He gives, whatever He has to show me of Himself, and will keep learning to entrust others to God, who constantly is revealing Himself to us. Let me never be a hindrance to another's knowing and learning to know God, even in times of darkness.