Light is a wonderful thing. Without it we would stumble and fall. Recently I went back into a darkened room to retrieve something I had forgotten. I didn't bother to turn on the light. I knew where the object was. I realized I had forgotten about something that lay on the floor as I began to trip and scramble to stay on my feet. Light is useful, but only if we use it. We need light. Have you ever driven down a dark road and turned off the car headlights? Fun and dangerous come to mind. Fun quickly fades if we drive into a tree or off the road. Without light we would be in peril. Light enables us to go about our lives in darkness. If you have ever gone on a night hike with a flashlight, you know it is best to walk within the light. If you shine the light in a different direction than you are walking, you might stumble. How good it is to have the light guiding you along the path, making you aware of the obstacles and curves. As Christians, we are given a marvelous light. Psalm 119.105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." God has given us His Word to light our path, to guide and protect us along the path of life. As long as we stay within the light, we are good. For it is God's will that we walk in his light. I have found that the paths of life take us to many different destinations. I've lived in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Jose, La Mirada, Tustin, San Bernardino, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. I've also had a variety of jobs: Jack in the Box as a high school kid, Mervyn's warehouse, UPS, Gene's Office Supply, Mt. Gilead, Security Guard, Evangelical Free Church of Orange, Harris and Frank Men's Apparel, Calvary Baptist Church, Occidental Community Church and Buchanan Food Service. I'm realizing that I have quite a resume of experiences. In addition to these, there are more important things, such as where I met my wife and when we were married and our children. Each of our stories continue as does our journey. I have found that the one constant throughout my life is the Lord Jesus who is the Living Word and Emmanuel. As long as I stay in the Word I am staying in the light. When I disobey the Lord and go my own way, I step out of the light and I find myself in danger. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8.12 Where have your feet taken you? Where are your feet taking you now? Are you walking within the light of God's Word or have you veered down a rabbit trail? The challenge is to follow Jesus and keep within His light. In 2015 we'll explore the challenge of staying in the light while the world around us is in darkness. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the true light and for guiding me along my way. Shine your light for my feet and for my path, that I may walk confidently with you. Take my hand Lord, stay with me and help me to stay within your light. Blessings, Pastor Pete