…Then there was the time that my jeep had a short in the dimmer switch.  The dimmer switch was on the floor (the place that God intended them to be,) and I must have switched from high beam to low beam too many times.  Every time I would switch to or from brights, a couple of minutes would pass and then…  Lights out.

It took me the longest time to figure out that it was a short.
Yes, I did drive quite a few country roads by moonlight.
I also learned my way around a jeep’s electrical system.

Some lessons are learned in the dark and under pressure.

Those lessons are hard to forget.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”

I can still rewire a jeep with my eyes closed.  I am thankful for those late night drives though they did not go according to plan.

I am also thankful for times of affliction, crushing, and persecution.  Those times did not go according to plan (at least, not my plan) but they have taught me some lessons I will not forget.

When the world says, “Lights out, Tree!” I will answer, “Thank you.  I can follow Jesus with my eyes closed.”  (John 10:27)

Jesus, give me ears to hear, a life resilient in the dark, and a heart forged by pressure.  Amen.