I am a child of the light. The Lord has prepared the path and shone His light upon me to walk in His way. There is no reason to fear what is ahead of me. So, why have I’ve been managing darkness all these years, waiting for the next shoe to fall, afraid that I may not be prepared or prayed up to handle what might come?
I’ve lacked the understanding of perfect love. In the Bible, John wrote, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:17,18, NKJV).
I didn’t see myself living in fear, but I have been. Simply put, it was a normal reality that took more faith to believe. Maybe fear is what will drive us to our knees to pray? Why not perfect love humbling us to thank and praise Him for what He has done and sing His song of victory?
I’ve heard believers vent their fears for our government, our country, the future for our children and what will be in store for the next generation. So, how do we embrace that love and refuse the darkness that continues to hover over us?
God has taken care of darkness and sin. He poured out His love on humanity through the shedding of blood on the cross. He bought us freedom at the cost of great pain. He has redeemed this evil world through the weapon of love and has taken the sting for our sins. Yet, fear is running rampantly; we are constantly being consumed in negative conversations, being threatened by the absence of restraint from lawless people.
The knowledge that God is all-present, all-powerful, all-knowing, and is actively engaged in the outcome, has escaped us as we are stunned by the events of the day. He knows what is coming and has allowed it. He’s already written the story, marked the future on heaven’s calendar, locked it in and prepared the good works that we should walk in. It’s a done deal of perfect love whether we accept it or not.
On that almost-fatal day, Aug. 6, when an accident brought me to a hospital bed, lying flat on my back for three weeks in the arms of Jesus, I accepted His perfect love. God so generously gave me a few more days or years to live and took away my darkness. How did this happen? In believing in His perfect love, I turned away from me and turned to Him.
God reminded me about one of my favorite classics, “The Thorn Birds,” a 1977 novel by Australian author Colleen McCullough. The story’s theme is based on a legend about the thorn bird and mirrors Jesus’ coming to earth to sing one song — “He gave his life to redeem humanity, He rose above His own agony.”
McCullough masterfully entwines a fictional love story, a drama and the legend of the thorn bird to show perfect love. She writes in the front of her book, “The theme is based on a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. Or so says the legend.”
In McCullough’s novel, the young, greedy priest lacked understanding of God’s perfect love. He was driven to achieve importance in the church to show how much he loved God. Perfect love stood before him in the young girl who loved him sacrificially and gave herself to him.
Believers have been singing the wrong lyrics too long. In order to combat fear, we must turn away from own thoughts and words. By faith, we need to listen to God’s song from heaven. Jesus’ sacrificial death, finding that thorn tree, impaling Himself upon it, He brought the sweetest song of perfect love ever sung to be heard throughout all eternity.
Final brushstroke: Lord, thank you for the privilege of coming into Your presence. Thank you for shedding your love upon my heart. I’ve been that savage branch too long. Show me how to embellish those quiet moments and still myself to listen to the sweetest song ever sung. Then I’ll know, God in your heaven smiles. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
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Reader comments
“Dear Betty, We always love reading your columns in our Pagosa SUN paper.
“This week’s article was a nice surprise, praising the efforts and work of athletes in our small town. And recognizing the leadership of coaches, teachers, and school staff to make a difference in the lives of young people, especially through athletics.
“My husband, Olin, loved working with the teams here in our little mountain town, in the Jr. High and high school. He was happy to know and work with Slade and Creede both during this time. It is great to know they are both doing well and pursuing their best futures.
“Thank you for your inspiring writing. We are so happy you both are healing and doing well now.
“Sharon Garrison”
“Hi Betty -
“I just enjoyed reading your column in The Sun that my stepmother, Sharon Garrison, forwarded to me. My father is Coach Olin Garrison, and I was brought to tears by your kind description of him. I’m proud to say he is the best father in the world and my hero. He coached in Dallas for the first 32 years of my life and was indeed a well-respected role model to many players. Pagosa was the last stop of his coaching career, and I’m thrilled that you were able to see how much he cares. He’s such a good guy, and I know your words touched his heart as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to mention him and the other influential coaches of your grandson. It sounds like Creed has a wonderful future, and can impact his athletes in kind. He’s obviously received a huge amount of love from his grandmother! Best wishes and God’s blessings to you.
“Shannon Garrison Champe.”
Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN.
