A Dark and Frightening Path

The picture above was taken in a tunnel in Central Park, New York, just recently. My daughter and I were in the park exploring when we came across it. We were on a wide, well lit path and then found this dark tunnel. The flash of the camera makes it look lighter, when actually it was very dark, except for a small yellow light in the center. It was frightening, but we were attracted to it for aesthetic reasons and wanted to take some interesting photos. The tunnel would have been even more scary if we weren't with each other. You could barely see to the other side. We didn't know where it would take us. But we walked through it anyway. We sang in it and yelled in it and listened for our echoes. We enjoyed our journey.

This is a wonderful illustration of my journey in this life, and perhaps even yours. I'm pretty safe on the well lit path, just doing the status-quo. But then I come to a dark and frightening path that leads through a tunnel. I've never been there before and don't know if it's safe or what's on the other side. Then I realize I am not alone, God is right here with me... and I trust. I don't know why he's put this dark path on my journey, but I trust him and press on. If I am quiet and still enough, I can hear His still small voice echoing in my ears and His song playing in my heart: "I am with you always...I will never leave you nor forsake you... I am the light of the world..."

Oh my Father, I praise you that even though I come across dark and frightening times on this journey, that you are with me and watching over me. Instead of taking me around them, you sometimes choose to take me through them. I don't always understand it and certainly don't always enjoy it, if ever. But you are there in the dark with me and I trust you. You have a purpose for these dark, lonely times and I trust you to bring me safely to the other side. But you also want me to have joy in the journey. Just like one of my favorite songs by Michael Card, "Joy in the Journey." Thank you, dear Lord for being a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and giving me joy on this journey of life down here. I love you, my Jesus.
Your Ragamuffin Girl.

Scripture references: Matthew 28:20, Joshua 1:5, John 8:12, Psalm 119:105

Michael Card
"Joy in the Journey":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khrxWs05JSY