Those who sit in darkness...

a man
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

"The Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." -Luke 1:78-79

This is one of the main verses I spoke on yesterday. A message about the dawn of God that was found in the face of Christ. Trying with all my might to help capture the hope that was and is pregnant in the above verse. Christ is the dawn of God and the gospel is the good news that the Light of God has come. As I preach, I often wonder if the same inspiration that is released like a fragrant flower to me in the verses...is as intoxicating to those hearing.

It's impossible to pass on revelation, we can only pray that the same light we encounter by His Spirit through His word will be ignited in the minds and hearts of those listening.

Yesterday after the message a man came up and stood before me. He was taller than me and he looked just like the picture of this man.
Hard and worn...he stood there silent more than anything else.
You never know what someone is going to say in those moments until you look into their eyes.

He didn't say much and didn't really know what to say other than in a slightly hushed tone..."I am really glad I came today". I could sense the spiritual weight that is present in a moment when something is taking place that is the work of the Holy Spirit. So as he started to withdraw, I reached out and asked if I could pray for him. He said yes and I laid my hands on this big man's shoulder and I prayed.

As I ended and looked at him, his eyes were melting before me.
Tears were rolling down his leathered face, trailing downward in the deep lines in his cheeks, that seemed more like canals than wrinkles.

Moments like those are holy.
You can see "the way of peace" being opened right before you and...you can perceive shadows passing.