Lesson 277 When Darkness Comes

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

I was so disappointed. The apathy of my students in the Day Treatment and Alternative Education program came cascading down on me as quickly as an avalanche. Was this my life’s work gone amuck? What has happened in the last couple of weeks, I thought to myself. The students are on self destructive mold and there is nothing I can do to save them. It is time to retire, as I didn’t see the good I am doing anymore. Then darkness came…

Driving to my evening class, I began thinking about Sodom and Gamara. I thought of God’s judgment upon the city. And I recalled a time in which God was going to destroy another city if not one righteous man could not be found. I wondered if we had reached that point. My soul was so troubled. Then darkness came…

Feeling discouraged, I went to my college class only to find that most of the students had left for the state basketball tournament. Only one young lady and a young man were present. Cynically I asked them why didn’t they go to the games and the young man said he didn’t like ballgames. I was caught off guard by the young lady’s response when I asked the young lady why she didn’t go. She looked at me and simply stated that she wanted to, because most of her friends went, but she knew she had to make sacrifices in order to get an education. She said she felt her education was worth sacrifices and she promised her parents she would work hard to become successful in life. Then she added it wasn’t the Christian thing to do. I noted her purse had a Bible verse on it. It was Colossians 3:14. The verse said, “Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.” A moment’s reprieve from a hostile world…

The weekend brought into my world a young man of twenty six and his bride six years younger than he. I was immediately drawn to them because of their peaceful spirit. They were filled with peace and harmony. You could just feel it. We talked under a tree for hours about his training and his plans to be a missionary. His wife wished to follow in his footsteps. The love they possessed for one another was touching but their love for God put this fielder in awe. Once again I found an oasis in a wasteland.

As I left their side, a verse came to mind and when I arrived back to the motel, I searched for it. The verse was from Ephesians 4:3: “You are joined together in peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.” I was rejuvenated and felt a fresh breath of air flowing over my body. In my eyes the young college student and the two desiring to be missionaries represented the church of God.

My answer to my distress came as I drove home. We must live our lives in such a manner that others (those not knowing the light) will see it within us and wish to obtain what we illuminate. That peace, harmony and balance, which is only found through a one on one relationship with Jesus Christ, offers immeasurable peace when facing a world of sorrow and woe. God did not promise perfection; only peace. We will face the storms, we will see the darkness, but we can and MUST be in the light and/or be the light for those who falter to aspire towards. Let us concentrate on those things which will draw men/women nigh unto God. The answer is found in James 4:8. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Friend, when surrounded by the world and darkness is upon the land, seek the Creator of all things and He will help you overcome all things through Him. Praying each day to draw nigh unto the Father, I remain the old General