Journey With the WordSampl

DAY 3: Rescue From Darkness

One of the most unsettling things is being in total and complete darkness. Whether it’s because of a power outage or you’re in an area with no artificial light, darkness can startle us! Don knows exactly what that is like, but the experience of wandering through the dark actually taught him something powerful about the character of God:

In 1978, our oldest daughter, Arlene, was nearing the time for her graduation from Ukarumpa International School, located in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. She came to me one day and said, “Dad, before I go back to the United States, I would like to make one last trip to the village to say goodbye to our Rawa friends.”

Soon after that, I took her to the village, and I’ll always be grateful to God that I did. On that day, I caught a very real vision of what God’s call is all about. 

There was a road being built to the village, but we still had a good hour’s hike from the end of the road to the safety of the village. Due to delays, darkness overtook us before we could cross the deep ravine and rushing river that were between us and the village. Now in Papua New Guinea, there is little or no twilight; a thick blanket of darkness very quickly stopped us dead in our tracks. We dared not try to pick our way over the slippery rocks of the trail leading down the ravine to the river, let alone try to cross the river in the darkness. 

We had no matches. We had no flashlight. We had nothing that would create light for us to bring ourselves to safety. Across the dark ravine, I could see the glowing firelight of the village. I could see the lanterns at the government station next to the village. But how could I attract their attention? 

First, we prayed. Then I began to call out in Rawa: No oowoone Don (“My name is Don”). No soru kini (“I have no light”). Ye ombuya hoorooweyero (“You come and help me!”). Then again in the trade language: Nem bilong mi Don. Mi nogat lait. Yu kam helpim mi! 

Over and over again, I called. Then, I saw them coming. First a lantern, then a firebrand, until many of my dear friends were coming to lead us out of the darkness. Now I know, firsthand, how it feels to be in total darkness desperately calling out for someone—something with the light.

After being in literal darkness, Don felt a little bit of what it would be like to be in spiritual darkness without the light and hope of God’s Word. Think today about people in your life who need to know about Jesus. How can you shine the light of God’s love in their lives today?

Points to Ponder: 

• When have you been in total darkness? How did it make you feel? 
• Who, in your life, needs to experience the light of God’s love today? How can you help shine that light?