Refresh Ministry Women
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Connect
    • Group Leaders >
      • Gray
      • Howard
      • Magness
      • Miller
      • Pritchett
      • Washam
  • NWM
    • NWM Monthly Resource
    • NWM Events
  • Lunch & Learn
  • Contact

A Light in the Darkness

12/4/2021

1 Comment

 
By Terry Magness

​Years ago, when my husband and I were an adventurous, young couple, we stepped onto an aged mine elevator that carried us down, down, down, deep into an Ely, Minnesota iron ore mine shaft. Streams of warm sunlight flooding through the generous opening welcomed us when we finally reached the mine floor. A man with calloused hands and rugged face, wearing a miner’s helmet with a carbide light on the front, made his way across the cavernous room into a hand-hewn tunnel. Our small group stepping from the elevator, fell in stride behind him. 
 
​

The pungent smell of damp earth and metal filled our nostrils as we followed him into the tunnel, leaving behind remnants of fading sunlight. Venturing further and further into the belly of the old iron mine, our way illuminated by intermittent lights and our guide’s helmet lantern, we entered another large room. Stopping, he shared historical and current information about the mine including the fact that the ore in this mine is so pure there is no need for processing after extraction. We were still thinking about this when our guide warned he was about to turn off the lights.  
Picture
Then suddenly, it was dark, very dark. A nearly tangible, utter blackness wrapped around us isolating each in crypt-like darkness. We, in uneasy silence, stood frozen in place for what seemed like endless minutes before in the echoing quiet we heard an unmistakable sizzling sound, the striking of a wooden ​
match. Instantly its brilliance lit up the entire room. We could see when moments before we were blind in the dark. Oh, how we embraced the light. 

When God created the world and everything in it, it was pure, holy, set apart for His purposes. But darkness entered the world through sin, and great was that darkness. 
 
God in his amazing mercy sent His Son, a Light in the darkness, Jesus Savior of the world.  

Yes, the Light came, but not as expected. He entered the darkness as a human baby, helpless, innocent, needy. We find in John 1:10-11, that Jesus came to his own, a people of his own creation, yet they did not embrace the Light but chose rather to stumble around in darkness.  
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV.   
John tells us, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 KJV. 

In John 3:19 ESV, we read this sad commentary, "...that light has come into the world, and the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."  

The fact is the Prince of Darkness rose up to extinguish the Great Light who was a threat to the darkness of this world. For three days it appeared the Light of the World was indeed snuffed out, but on the third day, that Great Light burst into a mighty flame of Life, conquering death, hell, and the grave.  

Today, The Light of the World illuminates heaven, a kingdom where no darkness exists, and has set ablaze multitudes upon the earth throughout the centuries with a fire fueled by His Spirit living within them. Darkness enveloping this world, has tried to douse the flames of those lesser lights as well, with some seeming success. But the faithful lights continue to multiply and shine brightly, dispelling darkness across the world.  

Darkness still rules over the earth, but The Light of the World has promised that a day is coming when he will gather up his lesser lights, darkness will be apprehended, and the Light of the World will rule the earth once again. 

This is the Season of Lights, Christmas, a time we remember God’s grace and love, and His son Jesus, the Light of the World, sent to dispel our darkness.  Let us determine to shine ever brighter in an ever-darkening world! 
​
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 KJV. ​

Picture
Terry Magness is author, speaker, and founder of Grace Harbour Ministries, a Biblically based teaching and discipleship ministry to the nations. Terry is passionate in helping people to know God and the hope, healing, and power He offers for overcoming the challenges to victorious Spirit-filled living through Jesus Christ. As an ordained Assembly of God minister, Terry is called to undergird, encourage, 

and empower the church and its leaders. Her years in Biblical study, pastoral counseling, and more recently, coaching, have equipped her for this unique role.

​Terry enjoys writing, photography, art, and fishing with her husband, Don. They share with joy two adult children, Greg and Valarie, and three beautiful granddaughters.
1 Comment
Michaela Claspill
12/13/2021 08:07:20 am

What a wonderful reminder of how the Light pierces the darkness.

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Picture
    This is a safe place for ministry wives and women ministers to be renewed, resourced, and build relationships with others just like you.

    Picture
    Join a Connect Group Here!

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Healing
    Health
    Leadership
    Marriage & Family
    Mental Health
    Ministry
    Personal Growth
    Relationships
    Women

    RSS Feed

    Archivescives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Connect
    • Group Leaders >
      • Gray
      • Howard
      • Magness
      • Miller
      • Pritchett
      • Washam
  • NWM
    • NWM Monthly Resource
    • NWM Events
  • Lunch & Learn
  • Contact