Bible Studies

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…By now it was dark … and Jesus had not yet joined them …
John 6:17

How perfectly the words above describe where I feel myself walking so many, many times. Suddenly I become aware that it’s dark. I hadn’t noted the light fading…the darkness descending. Unexpectedly, it’s just there, in its fullness. And I am caught, once again, unprepared. I’ve wandered away from the Light, so wrapped up in myself – in all the cares, concerns, plans, disappointments, distractions of my day – that I didn’t even miss Him. Didn’t see or note or care that He wasn’t beside me any more … that I’d let loose of His hand and gone on ahead … and now it’s dark. So dark. A darkness that’s heavy, clinging, dragging me downward. And I’m frightened. Angry. Overwhelmed by the waves crashing ceaselessly upon me until I despair of my head ever rising above the roiling water again. So battered, so beaten down by the struggle that I can’t even cry out.

Then I see Him, Jesus, walking towards me on the crests of the waves that would drown me. Catching sight once again of Light, suddenly I understand this darkness. I clutch His words ”It is I! Be not afraid!” like the life-line they are, and I cease my struggle. As the light dawns, anew, humbly I take Him into my boat once again. And that shore to which I’ve been struggling so frantically … suddenly we’re there, Jesus and I. Without another single pull of my weary arms upon life’s oar, the darkness is vanquished, the shore is reached, and the light shines upon my hand, clasped ever so tightly in His.



Oh my faithful Savior. Like a little child, captivated by every whisper in the wind, by every sight wooingly dancing before my eyes, how quickly, how easily I snatch my hand from your Yours and run, chasing after every sight and sound that touches my world. I scamper after each delight only to suddenly discover I’m lost … so very lost. And in the lostness, I become so frighten I don’t know where to turn. I can’t remember what I’m looking for. I’ve forgotten what I’ve left, what I let go off. Oh, thank You, Lord, that You’ve not forgotten me. That I’ve never been out of Your sight, even for a moment, despite that truth that You’ve been out of mine. Thank You for the love of Your Shepherd heart that keeps the wolves and bears and lions at bay …away from my trembling heart. Thank You for Your voice that so tenderly, so faithfully, calls my name, a voice I recognize. A voice that in my darkness I know to trust. Oh, Heaven’s Love and Light, thank You for stooping down, yet again, as I reach up to You. Thank You for taking my child-hand once more in Yours, holding it fast, and drawing it to the soothing beating of Your heart.





© 19 May 2005
DeAnna L. Brooks

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