When I was four years old, I was convinced that Jesus lived in a neighbor’s garage. The door was made of fiberglass, and when it caught the reflection of the sun, it literally glowed. I remember trying to explain to my cousin Holly, who was only two at the time, that Jesus was right behind the door of that shiny veneer.

It wasn’t until thirteen years later that I came to know Jesus as my Savior — to know that He wasn’t confined to a garage, no matter how magical it looked. And in those thirteen years, I couldn’t have run farther from that place. In fact, I ran so far from the truth I almost forgot about little girl knees, on warm pavement, praying to an unseen Jesus.

But God . . .

God, in His gentle, unrelenting way, went before me like a Daddy holding a flashlight in front of His daughter. His light shone clearly over the path I should take. But, oh, how many times I took a different road! I ventured down trails that took me deep into scary places. I willingly walked in valleys shadowing death. And yet, He would always, always call me back to Light. In the middle of my “lostness” I would see a faint glimmer of who He is.

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” {John 1:5, NKJV}

For years, God tried to get me to understand that the reflection of the sun on that garage door was really the tiniest of glimpses into His glory. He longed for me to grasp that it was His eternal glory that spoke into the darkness and there was light!

God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Finally, when I had run out of trails, was laid low in the valley, and had nowhere else to look, I dared to look up. The True Light that gives life to every man was inviting me to live with Him forever. This wasn’t the light of a simple flashlight, able to lose power, but the Light of the World full of all power and glory!

Now, all these years later, I can see how Jesus drew me to that shiny garage door and imprinted seeds of longing for what only He could give. I can see how He allowed me to run far, trip and fall, and almost forget about Him. I can see how He brought me back at just the right time. And I can see that even when darkness threatens to consume me once again, He is there.

“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.” {Isaiah 60:19-20, NKJV}

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Related: Designed to capture the light of the heavens, this shimmering, layered pendant necklace gracefully accents fashions with loveliness and exquisite meaning. It’s a beautiful reminder that just as God placed each star in the sky and knows it by name, He also knows you by name and faithfully guides you daily. He is “your Everlasting Light.”

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