Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Dark Room

...Darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness that may be felt...there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days...(Exodus 10:21-22)

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45)


Recently I heard an illustration in conjunction with these two stories/verses. The illustration of a darkroom.

A film developing darkroom. Film can only be properly developed in complete darkness. The only reason film/photos work later in the light is because they were developed in the darkness. The work was done right-in the darkroom.

In the darkest times of our lives we feel despair. We can't see the light. We can't see how God is working. We can't see how anything is going to be right again. Often darkness is accompanied by fear, panic, immobility.

We make the mistake in that dark moment of thinking that nothing is happening.

But, God develops us in the darkness. God develops His plan in the darkness. God develops His purpose in the darkness. God is preparing things so His glory bursts out in light-from the darkness.

Our sins were paid for in the hours of darkness while Jesus Christ was on the cross. Their burden and filthy unholiness. Their penalty. Their weight. It was all born in those dark hours on the cross.

God accomplished His most magnificent work in the darkness of the cross.

Does it make you wonder what God is doing in the darkness surrounding your life right now? Does it give you hope and peace in the darkness?

God is refining us in the darkness. He is developing His character in us in the darkness. He is waiting to reveal Himself and His purposes. God is doing His work right in the darkroom.


The question is...am I willing to wait it out and let Him develop His purpose in me?

Hmmm....