Coming out of the shadows

     

            

            At some point in life, children all over the world experienced their moment with fear of the dark. Scared of what may be larking behind the shadows of darkness. Entangled in their sheets and wetting their beds, scared to get up because monsters are under their beds.  Mothers and fathers don't have a clue on what to do, because they themselves are scared that the monsters they call demons will be coming for them too. 

           Late in the midnight hours, people both young and old face their fears, shed their tears but deal with their troubles alone. Embarking on what our ancestors called "troubled waters". Which, one might find a hiding place in life to shelter themselves from the world. With every disappointment. With every negative comment or bad report becomes another moment in time for one to dive deeper into the black hole they built for themselves. Just another reason to hide behind another person's shadow. 

    Many believers rather work behind the scenes as long as they are not out in the opening. Hiding away from the congregation. We give our money. We'll serve in the kitchen, and we'll come in on the weekend when no one is there to clean the church just as long as we are there alone. However, when it's time to reach out into the community for the church's outreach department, the work goes lacking because there's no one to go out and work in order to fulfill the mission. Members are becoming hideaways. Children are becoming selfish. Believers are losing their ambition. Preachers are delivering hopeless messages of prosperity while deacons are losing their boldness. The church is hiding in the shadows of darkness. 

    

     Now, is time for us to come out of the shadows of darkness and run to Christ. We don't have to stay in darkness. While the world has told us many lies to keep us in darkness, scriptures has told us the truth of Yah's loving heart and purpose towards us. 

    Jesus said, "the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Living in darkness will consume you with stress, worry and fear. Darkness will deny you of every opportunity of success. It will fill your mind with doubt so to the point that you will feel that there is no way out. Darkness only comes to corrupt your purpose with its lies. We do not have to live in darkness. 

    Believe in yourself and in the possibilities that are stored up in you. It's not by coincidence that you have those abilities (whatever they may be). You were purposed to have those qualities and gifts for the edification of The Most High. When Yah created you; he created you with thought in mind. He didn't just mold and form you without purpose. You my brother, you my sister are wonderfully made. Psalms 139:13-16 informs us, "for you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them". So, except your imperfections. They are your best qualities to build your success in Christ. 

    When you feel any doubt about what you are doing or what you can do, remember you can do it. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength".  Nevertheless, remember, that "but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

    In closing, Jesus is the light of the world. Therefore, come unto Him. He is waiting patiently for your return or for you to simply choose Him. In doing so, you will no longer have to worry about what is larking in the darkness. King David said, yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thou rod and thou staff comforts me (Psalms 23:4). 

    Darkness has come to devour us by pushing us down deep in its shadows. However, Christ will set us free because He is the light of the world. His light will illuminate us. He will set us free. Remember the victorious words of Christ when he spoke, "Who the Son sets free, is free indeed" (John 8:36). 

    Christ came to set us free not to be selfish and hold back our testimony but to overcome our greatest obstacles to help someone else. Therefore, when you speak, stand on the solid foundation which is Christ. Do not waiver in your faith. Do not let your imperfections overtake you. Do not allow the shadow of darkness to rule in any area of your life. Just remind yourself why you reach out to others. Remember that the purpose is greater than ourselves. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

    So, come out of the shadows and return to the Son, who is patiently waiting for you.

Tyeshia Alston

@ Tyeshia's Chronicles