Light in our darkness
The heaviness was tangible as we walked into his home which sent me immediately into prayer. It is important to recognise the atmosphere where we find ourselves because we are meant to be the light in this world. “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop?” (Matthew 5:14-15) We have been taught a behaviour associated with this scripture, and to a degree this can be true. However, it is much more than this, because you see, light cannot be diminished by darkness. Knowing this is part of who we are, not simply what we do, empowers us to support the people He brings into our presence by helping shift the darkness around them.
As I prayed for him in secret, I listened to him, and held him up before the Lord and soon Holy Spirit in His faithfulness brought a scripture to mind. I wasn’t sure I had heard correctly though because I did not know the story. Waiting until it was my turn to encourage him, I began to share what the Lord had spoken, but felt strongly to pray over him, rather than preach at him. Proceeding as prompted I poured out a prayer flooded with the compassion of the Lord and hoped that He was doing what only He could do. (Psalm 92:12-15)
We continued our fellowship through a torrential downpour and no electricity in his simple home and this gave us a chance to get to know one another a bit better. He made us black tea and offered apples and bananas. Being served a treat in these homes is always so humbling and so beautiful. Soon the questions began, which I always anticipate. Questions about how many children I have, the presence of a husband, the name of my state in America, my age, and various questions about plane tickets and the state of America were all rapid fire curiosities. I don’t (always) mind because it gives me an opportunity to be equally as inquisitive.
I learned that he had been a police officer in Nepal until he retired, and that he doesn’t miss it because no one respects police anymore. His wife is a practicing Hindu and quite antagonistic regarding his found Christianity. Thankfully he has remained faithful to His marriage vows, and prays all the time that she will find the peace he has found in Jesus. He asked me if my children loved me to which I shared yes indeed. He got a strange look on his face after this affirmative, and then shared that he has 12 children and many grandkids but all of his children “hate him”, partly because of his faith, and for other reasons he did not explain. One of his sons has also discovered true life in Jesus and I am praying that more of this testimony spreads in his natural family. Thankfully, he has found family in the church since coming to the faith, and has even asked the pastor to be in charge of his burial, because he cannot trust his children to follow his Christian wishes. I am thankful that in God’s kindness, there is a promise he can count on as He waits for the God to change this situation. “God sets the solitary in families.” Psalm 68:6.
We discovered that his wife had gone to live in the village for a time to prepare the rice paddy fields before the monsoon comes, and he is living alone spending time trying to learn about God and faith. He struggles with feeling so alone in the world, and also with torment by the devil in his dreams and in his waking moments. Often monstrous entities chase him and threaten to kill him in his dreams, and he has worried that he will die much too early at the hands of evil prayers sent against him.
The truth is only God knows what we need. The “light” needed for this day was unbeknownst to me until I had afterwards learned more about his life. Then Psalm 92 (along with the other scriptures I I found myself sharing) made a lot more sense. One of the most important truths people (including myself) need a constant reminder about is that He sees us, He knows everything, and He will stop at nothing to meet a hurting heart in need. God is faithful. With the passing of time, I felt a tangible shift in the atmosphere, and thanked God for encouraging not just this sweet man, but also myself and my friend. We all had smiles on our faces when we left, and he insisted that I come back when I could. I smiled knowing He was just hungry for more of Jesus, and though sometimes this comes in the form of people encouraging us in our journey, I believe with my whole heart that Jesus has every intention of reminding this gentleman of His constant nearness and His love.
I was later told that he had shared of his experience with us in his fellowship and had shared the prophetic scripture from memory that I prayed over him. He jumped up and shouted about the incredible promises found in the scripture, that were very much just for him that day. This is so simple and yet so profound.
On this gloomy dark day, light penetrated the darkness, and God revealed how personal He is, and how He is so “FOR” us. May we all find His light in our own darkness, and then go out into all the world and help others find the same.