Finding God's Presence ~ While It's Still Dark

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

I tugged on my robe, snuggling beneath it's warmth on this cold January Sunday. On the television, songs of praise streamed from Elevation Church's live worship service, preparing our hearts to receive from the Lord.

My heart awakened to the words of Pastor Steven Furtick. He quoted from John 20:1, "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb."

While. It. Was. Still. Dark.

Pastor Steven was exhorting us to not discount the "while" times, those times of waiting. I absorbed all I could from his message, but the Lord kept niggling me with the phrase, "while it was still dark."

Mary's world had turned upside down. Jesus - the One in whom she had believed - was dead. How could it be? She had trusted Him. She had believed all that He had told her and now He was dead. Most of us are familiar with this passage of Scripture, but, like me, have you ever noticed when Mary sought the Lord? She came to Him "while it was still dark." 

And in the darkness, Mary discovered Jesus was still alive.

I'm learning to seek the Lord even while it's dark. The dark clouds of brokenness shroud my life right now. I don't know what my future holds. Fear and anxiety lurk in every shadow I encounter. My thoughts torment me with what-ifs.

But still I seek Him. Even while it's still dark.

It seems like the dark places are where we find the most remarkable miracles. In the dark places the Lord rolls away the stone so we can behold our miracle - the miracle of His resurrection power in our broken places. His restoration. His provision. His tender care.

But we have to seek Him to find Him. 

We must remain loyal to Him even when it's dark because that's what faith is all about. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith is the stone rolled away to reveal the trustworthiness of God.

Faith is knowing that the darkness I'm in is the shadow of His Presence because He loves me.

His shadow.

Yes, Lord, I will seek You while it's still dark.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, 

when you search for Me with all your heart." 

~ Jeremiah 29:11

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A Tweetable to Encourage Others

How do I find God when darkness shrouds my life? @NanJonesAuthor shares personal stuff. (Click to Tweet)

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The Lord has led me to open my blog to guest bloggers on Thursdays who desire to share how God has revealed Himself to them in their darkest hours. Many are searching. Many love the Lord but feel abandoned. It's my prayer that the testimonies of others will give you strength for the journey as you realize that the Lord is no respecter of persons. The first guest post is coming soon!
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring a powerful song by Kari Jobe titled, "Find You on my Knees." A few minutes of worship today will help to lift you above the fray.