Light Up The Darkness

“Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.” — Lyrics, Victory in Jesus

An Unexpected Visit

I arrived in Colorado with the news that a friend was not doing well. She had been suffering through a major health crisis and had been temporarily moved to a care facility to regain some strength. I was staying with Amy from our team, and she was the one who shared the news with me. I looked at her and asked, "Can we go visit her...like tomorrow?" She quickly agreed because she had been thinking the same thing.

We started our morning in prayer and then made our way to the facility where she was staying. We signed in and were told to wait because she wasn't in her room at the moment, but she would return shortly with the nurse. As we waited, we noticed the people gathered near the front entrance. Many looked lonely, distant, or were hunched over in wheelchairs, sleeping. Our hearts immediately went out to them, so we did what seemed natural…we started making friends.

The first person we met was sitting by himself in a little alcove, quietly playing a game. We smiled, greeted him, and then I sat in the empty chair next to him while Amy stood by us. Before long, we were having a wonderful conversation. He was so pleasant and genuinely seemed happy to have company. Finally, I asked, "We love to pray for people. May we pray for you?” He smiled and said yes. So we prayed for this gentleman, and by the time we finished, the friend we had come to visit was being wheeled back to her room.

Joy Is Contagious

We slipped inside her room before the nurse reached the door, and the moment our friend lifted her head and saw us...church began! That’s the only way I can describe it.

She cried. We cried. And then we all started praising Jesus for bringing us together.

She had been through the wringer this past year, and her body bore the evidence. She now has to stay either in a wheelchair or in a hospital bed (however the latest update shows a promising ability to walk again). She wanted to remain in the wheelchair during our visit, so the very first thing we did was anoint her feet with oil and gently rub them while we prayed over her.

Jesus’ love filled the room. More tears came. But then…the party started!

It began with our friend beautifully singing an old hymn (I had no idea she could sing like that.) That hymn led to worship music on my phone, and soon we were all singing together while she signed every word. Because she had experienced hearing loss when she was young, she had learned sign language, and it became a beautiful part of how she ministered to people.

When the worship song ended on my phone, she immediately began singing another one on her own — Victory in Jesus. I laughed and said, “Hey I have that one on my phone too.” So I played it, loudly, with my phone resting near her ear. The version I have features a pretty enthusiastic electric guitar. She started signing the words as fast as she could and then suddenly broke into air guitar. Laughter erupted! The rest of us started dancing and singing right there in her room. It’s the kind of song you simply can’t help but dance. So we did. Her room became a full-blown worship service — and it was awesome!

When it was time to leave, we exchanged hugs and blessings. As we walked out the door, we noticed a couple of men sitting in their wheelchairs. One of them was the gentleman we had met earlier. We stopped, said hello, and asked if we could pray for them. The other man looked up at us as if he wanted to make sure someone was actually talking to him. So, we prayed for both of them and continued on our way.

Victory In Jesus

Amy and I have talked about that moment ever since. Victory is in Jesus!

Never forget — the church is not a building. It’s a people. God’s holy people in Christ Jesus. WE are the church. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light dispels darkness. Light dispels gloom. Light dispels discouragement.

So wherever you go…light up the darkness!

Victoriously,

Carole

P.S. Play this song loudly! Dance, sing, and proclaim the victory!