Nightfall (Part 2)

After a while, I kept walking. Mercifully, the sun continued its course in the sky and no longer beat down on me. I pulled a crust of stale bread from my pack and ate as I walked. I tried to remember an old hymn to turn my thoughts to praise, but I was too tired to sing. Then I realized night was falling. The path sloped downward, and soon I was surrounded by trees. “Great,” I thought. “I guess I chose the wrong way. What now, God? Should I go deeper into the forest? Should I turn around? What do I do!” I strained to get a better look at the path, the terrain, anythingbut it was so difficult to see in the dark. My breath came faster. I rubbed at my eyes and realized I was crying. I sat on a rock, my head in my hands. I was so tired. So tired. Dear one, the words came on the breeze. I’m here. I wanted to hear more of the voice, but I held back. I had to figure out what to do about the path, and the voice would just lull me to sleep. How was I supposed to fix this mess? I was such a fool! Dear one. The voice was closer. And then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I shivered at the warm touch. I hadn’t realized until now that I was cold. Dear one, I love you. I buried my head deeper in my lap. How? How could you love me? I could hear the bitterness in my voice. I love you, He said again, with such tenderness that I looked up at Him. When I saw the compassion on His face, the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders released. I felt like I might collapse, but He caught me, gently, and held me in a warm hug. I didn’t want to pull away, and He didn’t want to either. He just held me. And slowly, ever so slowly, my tired limbs began to warm. I cried. Eventually I told Him about the hot sun and the confusing path. I told Him I was angry at Him. He listened, and He kept holding me. Finally, I had said all that was inside me to say, and I felt lighter. Then He whispered, Dear one, I am the way. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the verse. He nodded, knowing my thoughts. You’ve been asking me and asking me which way to go It was so clear to me now. All I wanted was to be near Him, to be loved by Him. Could I really be loved? He smiled, then said, I want you to be with me. The way is with me. Hannah Howe When was a time you felt lost? Jesus seeks us when we’re lost (Luke 19:10). He died and rose again so that we could be close to Him. How might God be inviting you into His presence today? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6a (NIV)

Read Verses:

John 14:1-John 14:21