A Touch in the Darkest Hour
Every one of us will personally experience and/or know someone who is/has been in their darkest hour. This is the place where there is no ligh
t at the end of the tunnel. We lost someone recently (Robin Williams) who suffered in his darkest hour. Man, has labeled a multitude of mental health disorders that have a root in depression. Labels validate one’s pain and give them a reason to sink lower in the name of their diagnosis. Pharmaceutical companies are gaining millions from varied prescriptions in attempts to bring comfort in the darkest hour. The critical thing that must take place for survival is to remove the label of victim, replaced with a label of victor. The scriptures talk of resources from heaven in the midst of a paralyzed state of mind. When Peter was facing his darkest hour, on the eve of his execution, “the church was earnestly praying.” Prayer behind the scenes is a source of unknown spiritual strength. Twice, when Jesus was in His darkest hour, an Angel touched Him and gave Him strength to move forward in his immobile state. The scriptures are full of times when angels provide strength when the tunnel is dark. When we get our senses and strength back, our faith in Christ allows us to live and move forward. Whether we are in our earthly body suit or heavenly body suit, we live in eternity through Christ.
Beyond Your Boundaries
A four year old was out riding her brand new tricycle. Mom had to go inside for a few minutes and had a stern conversation establishing the boundaries. She pointed to the neighbor’s driveway on one side and a tree on their property for the other side. “You are to stay between the driveway and the tree. If you go past either you will get a spanking.” She backed up her trike to mom’s feet and said; “You might as well spank me now. I have places to go.” We all have places to go beyond the boundaries of our youth. You are created for a unique purpose in this life and the only way to find out that purpose is to pedal beyond the safe zone. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left. Isaiah 54:2-3 Keep pressing forward toward your God given identity. 
Take an inventory of the passions that drive you. Those are the passions that drove our little 4 year old try-cyclist. Don’t allow the speedbumps, tight curves, pot holes, and cracks in the sidewalk keep you from pedaling. Don’t let the driveways and trees prevent you from being who you were created to be. On your mark, get set, GO!!!!
