Holy Spirit brought a story to my mind recently. It’s one I shared when I consulted with business leaders. It goes like this. “A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top. Rather, it persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.”
Why would Holy Spirit bring this to my mind and tell me to write about it? Maybe, because we are seven days out from an election in which the battle of good vs. evil has never been greater. Maybe in the months leading up to November 5, many of us have felt like we are trapped in a jar of fear and frustration with no way out. Maybe because we rely on our own intellect – as limited as it is; or worse, the opinions of others. Maybe we are exhausted from trying to educate people. Drained from hours spent encouraging Christians to do their Godly duty and vote for leaders who most align with the Word. Weary from trying to do our part to save this country we love for our children and grandchildren. We keep flying into wall after wall of hatred, anger, lies, manipulation. Desperately trying to find a way out that lets us emerge with hope and our sanity.
I believe Holy Spirit is telling me to trust in the One who is, was, and always will be. I may not like what is happening around me. It might frighten me. It may anger me. I might slide into hopelessness. I might doubt. And those emotions will lead me to default to my stress reaction – control. Direct the narrative. Manage the fall out. “Fix” whatever is wrong. Or to borrow from the bees – fly around in pursuit of an exit that doesn’t exist. Falling victim to the trap of the enemy who wants to keep me looking in all the wrong places.
You know I also read that bees can be attracted to bright light. Supposedly, if you shine a bright light in the direction you want bees to move – like up and out of a jar – you can guide them to freedom.
Holy Spirit never lets me down. I hear Him saying, “Look up, Rhonda. Follow the light. The battle has been won by the One true light.”
“Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “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)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
Jesus, my Lord and Savior, is light. He is all we need to bring us comfort and peace in a world overcome with darkness. This isn’t anything new to God. Mankind has abandoned Him so many times. Figuratively spit in His face; taking for granted the blessings He pours out.
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:19-21)
And in this season, there is only one choice. To look to the light and pray. Pray fervently. Pray intentionally. Pray with expectation. Listen with your heart to what God is calling you to do in this season. Ask and be prepared to act. No one of us know what the future holds. No one knows how the outcome of November 5 will change our world. What we do know is that God has always used the prayers of the faithful to save nations. Darkness is the absence of light. I declare that the light of Jesus is shining on America in this season. We are part of a revival that will be historic.
So, I say we embrace wisdom of David, “Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
We may feel like we are trapped in a jar. But freedom, my brothers and sisters, is won on our knees. With eyes focused on the One true light that promises freedom and hope and salvation.
We need only follow the light.
This weeks accompanying prayer can be found at https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/lead-me-with-your-light/