Light in the dark

This morning, when I looked out of the window, it didn't look as beautiful as on December 23rd (pic), but I nevertheless knew that it was kinda cold without even checking the thermometer. Why would I care? Well, yesterday, our VW Golf let us down. We were about 40 miles (64km) away from home when the gas pedal didn't have an impact on the speed anymore. Nice feeling! Last time I experienced it, I was on the "Autobahn" between two big trucks. This time, I was on a little country road and could pull into a forest path and the car even rolled to a little parking lot where it finally quit working althogether. We called the ADAC (German automoblie club) and waited for one of their "yellow angles" about an hour. It's was pretty cold and already getting dark but my sister and I were happy and thankful that it happened before we got unto the "Autobahn". The ADAC-guy then told us that it was the alternator (and since it was dark by then, we could even see the battery light glowing a little bit after he had jump-started our car). He couldn't repair it and there was no way we would have gotten home with a dead battery. Yeay... another 90 min in the cold and dark forest until the tow truck came! Somehow, we survived it but since our parents are at my grandparent's with the Passat for some days, we will be without a working car till Wednesday.

That's why the temperature below freezing point bothered me this morning. I had to bike to work today... Well, I love the outdoors and I love to tell people that there is no such thing like bad weather. There're only bad clothes. I remember my colleagues in West Virginia calling me crazy because I loved to bike to the bank and the supermarket (30 min one way maybe) no matter what. I mean it was faster than running around campus, searching for a) an available car and b) the keys to it... When I got ready to leave today, the weather was just beautiful. Clear blue sky. I enjoyed the ride! I even regretted not having taken my camera with me since I passed a flock of sheep and they already had their little lambs. So cute!!! Then I passed the horses and the little zoo with the deer. Wow. If there wasn't the way back in the dark, I would immediately forget about bus and car.

But there was the way back! I had never done that route in the dark before. At least not in the winter at 9pm when it was REALLY dark! I actually don't care about it that much, but since my parents do, they always find a way to get me home without me biking through the woods and vineyards in the night. It's just half an hour by bike but today it felt longer. I guess it even took me longer since I didn't go that fast. I just didn't feel save racing down the hills without seeing a lot. My little lamp seemed like it wasn't a big help but in the end, it got me home save. I even didn't run over that dark dressed jogging guy. The only thing I had to do was to really pay attention. I was listening to a sermon, but I have to admit that I only got about 50% because I was staring on the path.

I remembered Psalm 119:105. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV) Another verse of those ones you learn in children Sabbath school right after you learned to walk. It is so true though. God gave us a light for the dark and not so dark sections of our way, but often I just want Him to give me a flood light. I don't even feel like switching that little light on because it doesn't seem to be of great use. I don't feel like paying attention because I know God could just show me everything if he wanted to and it would be way easier for me. I have bad news. My experience shows me that God wants me to put effort into finding my way. He shows me enough so that I don't HAVE TO rund over that runner, but he wants me to use my light. Sometimes I might only see the very next step and I might have to slow down, but even that little light will guide me home. I encourage you to take Psalm 119:105 seriously. God's word is not just a dusty old book. As I'm working towards my "Goal for 2008", I feel an increasing need for this lamp.

May it shine on your path, too.
maria