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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Day and Night (07/10/14)
The storm has chased me to places I did not wish to go, unfamiliar and uncomfortable places. Night has engulfed me. The darkness is here, the darkness is there, the darkness is everywhere. I hear thunderous sounds and see strange sights. The enemy’s fury is blowing as a winter wind. Deep waters surround and separate me into a solitary place where I yearn for God. Though the darkness hides Him, He speaks, “You are not alone on this wide, wide sea. Come unto Me. My love is broader. Never forget in the dark what I have told you in the light. Never forget in the night what I have told you in the day.” I know I must fight for control of my weary mind in order to escape this furious, stormy night. The place to begin change is within me. The Lord speaks, “Get a grip and pray it through. “
Suddenly, the ship has been calmed. I cannot see God just now, I cannot understand what He is doing, but I know Him, and I know His voice. For Him, no depths can drown, no night too black. I have passed from the impatience of being pent up within closed doors without air and am resolved that my loving Father knows what He is doing. I discern Him all around, He forgets not His own. Truth pronounces it is day again. What the enemy has meant for bad, He has turned and is working for my good. I no longer behold Him from afar. I search and seek for Him relentlessly. Soft, sweet sounds of blessed quietness are replacing the harsh, cruel ones. Like a song, He sings them over and over again to me. “Rise up, oh woman of God. Follow the gleam of the day.” Darkness gives way to sunlight as He whispers courage and cheers my famished soul. I can hear peace bells chiming in the distance, and it is day in my heart. Calm, fair breezes will blow again soon. This small ship will not sink, though the planks are warped and battered, and the sails are thin. No water can swallow the ship where the Master lies. Soon I will see the signal lights, as clear as glass, graciously guiding me, and I will stand on firm ground again, staunch, stouthearted, and wiser. The joy will be far greater than the sorrow of the thick, dark, stormy night. I will no longer fear the furious outbursts. The stormy night has only served to build my unwavering confidence in the cherished Captain and make me a true worshipper.
How I have longed for the peacefulness of the day, so beautiful, so serene, so tranquil. How sweet the memory of the bright, peaceful hours I once enjoyed. I don’t ask why anymore. I don’t ask to see the distant scene. He knows. It is enough to be aware of Him and rightly related to Him. He is near. Moment by moment, from a more balanced and objective perspective, I rest and wait. I have expressed my pain and the difficulty of the night to Him, and He has listened attentively with love and gently soothed my weary spirit from the press of the storm. He has stilled the tempest in my heart.
How tragic when we are so burdened, we’re unable to experience the simple joys of life. The daily grind of the devil’s fiery darts can make it seem like we will never see the light of day again. In the night, we grope around feeling for a door of release. Sorrow, heavy and deep, overwhelms our spirits. Disappointment has become the norm. We feel trapped between life and death. We are alive, but we are not sure we want to be anymore.
Then, one day we see a door with dynamic light on the other side. Jesus is passing by. He is the Daystar, a light for those who are in the darkness of night. In Him, there is no darkness at all. Day has dawned, and this is a day of exhilarating good news. We have discovered life’s highest truth in the triumphant light of the day. Suddenly, we know we are not alone.
“ Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night his song will be with me and my prayer unto the God of my life”(King James Version, Psalm 42:8)
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This article has been read 471 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jody Day 
07/17/14
Sentiments beautifully expressed, and right on topic. Try to leave space between paragraphs to make reading easier. Nice job:)
Lynda Schultz 
07/17/14
Powerful message. Joy comes in the morning, and He is the Morning Star. Great potential here.
Joyce Krznaric
07/18/14
I like the way you use language poetically, and the way you show the movement of your heart from confusion to joy, brought on by the loving guidance of the Day Star. A piece of constructive criticism I would offer would be to tighten it up a bit. sometimes less is best, but I enjoyed the ideas here.
Larry Whittington
07/18/14
Short paragraphs are needed for dynamics and emphasis.

Even single sentences for "charged thoughts".

Peace comes with accepting the difficult and unpleasant. Paul learned contentment whether he had little or much. Peace and contentment did not depend on the situation without but the heart within.

Very descriptive work. Keep at it.
Debra Burchett
07/19/14
Thank you for so apply describing how my mind and heart has been this last two years.
My life and I knew it was ripped apart and shredded. I began to wonder if God was real. I am not well yet but your verse in psalms has given me hope that God will understand my pain and hurt and show me his light through this darkness.
That was very well written and I enjoyed reading it. I loved your descriptions.
C D Swanson 
07/21/14
Simply beautiful!
Well done.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/23/14
This is a powerful piece. It's not easy to showcase such painful emotions to the world. I applaud your courage.

I noticed you spoke in the first person throughout most of the article. The sudden change to the second person at the end unsettled me a bit. I'm not sure if I can explain why exactly. In the beginning, I could totally relate and felt your pain. When you went from I to you, it felt more like a lecture. I know that wasn't your intention and that you were summing up your message. You didn't need to though because you did a brilliant job of balancing the despair with hope.

Your words will touch many people and through them, God will make a difference in someone's life. You did a great job of weaving the topic throughout the piece. You have a gift and should never doubt yourself.