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Topic: light (05/24/04)
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TITLE: LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE By Marie B. Corso 05/26/04 |
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I sat on a bench in Paris, France, people-watching after a long day of being a tourist. I watched a man stop his expensive car, duck into a flower shop, and return with an elegant bouquet. Lucky lady, I thought. Working people ascended the steps from the cavern of the metro. I saw them stop at the butcher shop, the fresh fruit and vegetable stands, and the cheese shop to piece together the courses for their dinner. At one corner, a lady who was obviously a nanny, delivered children to mothers who then pushed their prams home along the pedestrian street, disappearing into the warren of small side streets. As I watched, something unusual happened.
Love for these people enveloped me. The Holy Spirit spoke, not in words I could hear, but words I felt: “You are the light in this darkness. These people do not know me. Remember how I hounded you before you finally accepted Jesus Christ? I want to pursue these Parisians, and you can help by praying for them. Now.”
I responded immediately. I looked across the street at the man selling luscious strawberries and melons, and I silently prayed, “Lord, send someone to that man to tell him in his own language about the love of Jesus Christ.” I prayed for the soul of the waiter at the corner café serving patrons espresso, wine, and dinner. I prayed for the flower seller. I prayed for the people in the chocolate shop and the dry cleaning shop, and the cheese shop. I prayed for the people who were walking in the street, weary from their long day at work. I prayed for the old bent-over lady pulling her shopping cart behind her. I prayed for the nanny and the children. I prayed and prayed and prayed.
“We’re Huguenots.” My father and I discussed our family’s history about two years before he died. Huguenots? Who were they? Some internet research led me to the history of France. About 400 years ago, strong and powerful Protestants (nicknamed Huguenots), were granted permission to remain separate from the state’s Roman Catholic Church under a special ordinance called the Edict of Nantes. When the edict was repealed, and bloody massacres followed, Huguenots fled to other European countries. Our family went to Holland.
So, I have a French heritage. Maybe that’s why I felt compelled to take three years of high school French language study. Maybe that’s why I began a love affair with France and French culture, reading book after book about France. Maybe that’s why I have visited France twice. Maybe that’s why I love onion soup, chocolate, cheese and bread.
I now have a heavy burden for the people of France. Only 2% of them are evangelical believers. They need Christ. I am searching out information about evangelical churches in Paris and other parts of France. I know where some believers meet. I learned that there is a host of people praying for France, like the group that meets each spring to fast and pray for 40 days. They report improvements in the spiritual tone of the country.
If God permits, I plan to return to Paris and prayer walk in its 20 arrondisments (neighborhoods). I will sit in beautiful cathedrals; I will pray on the wide boulevards; I will pray in the parks; I will pray riding the metro, I will pray having coffee in a café. What will I pray for? I will pray for the souls of the French. I will pray for the elements of French culture: families, the wine merchants, the fashion gurus and those involved in the gourmet food business, politics, and commerce. I will pray that the people will crave true spirituality in their hearts, giving up a passing nod at the church. Anyone can prayer walk. And anyone who prays knows prayer is work – hard work. I’m applying for the job.
To push back the darkness in this country of my heritage, I must help bring in the light. Lord, let my lamp light the darkness.
copyright 2004
Marie B. Corso