Silver Gum Wrapper

I was on a camping trip with two friends when we found ourselves in the middle of the woods, in the middle of the night—without a flashlight. We were trying to find our way to the bathrooms, but in the darkness, we just got lost. In desperation, I had an idea! What if I tilted a silver gum wrapper toward the sky to reflect some light on our path? This trick just got us more lost.

Somehow, we stumbled back to our tent and waited until morning to try again. As sunlight streamed through the trees, we emerged from our tent and saw a building nearby with the word “bathrooms” painted in big black letters. It was there all along. The light of day made all the difference.

We live in a dark world. We’re tempted to grasp at all kinds of things for wisdom and guidance, just like I grasped at that silver gum wrapper, hoping for light. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

When Jesus spoke these words He was standing in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration of the forty years that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Candelabras blazed around Him commemorating that God led the Israelites as a pillar of fire at night until they reached the Promised Land. Surrounded by temporary lights, Jesus declared that He is the light who will lead us all the way to our eternal home.

Maybe you’ve been walking through a dark valley. Maybe you feel like you’re lost in the woods. Remember that Jesus is your Light. You can follow Him out of the darkness, because:

• He is the light of wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance.

• He is the light of compassion that dispels the darkness of hatred.

• He is the light of freedom that dispels the darkness of captivity.

• He is the light of healing that dispels the darkness of sin and death.

Jesus speaks to us in His Word. So today, open God’s Word for the light you need to walk the path before you. It will make all the difference.

This article is adapted from the first episode of the Expect Something Beautiful podcast. Visit ReviveOurHearts.com/ExpectSomethingBeautiful to hear the entire story (complete with background music that will make you feel like you’re right there with Laura, in the woods, in the middle of the night, without a flashlight). By Laura Booz Silver Gum Wrapper

Get to Know Laura Booz, Host of Expect Something Beautiful

Q: Laura, where did you grow up?

A: In Lansdale, PA, with plenty of green grass and fresh air to imagine I was Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My husband, Ryan, and I have six children, ages two to fifteen. We live on a lovely farmette in Pennsylvania with chickens, honeybees, and apple trees. I homeschool our children, and Ryan works from home as a developer advocate. We love our small hometown and our church family, Oakwood Presbyterian Church.

Q: Can you describe the Expect Something Beautiful podcast in three words?

A: Encouraging. Thought-provoking. Fun!

LAURA BOOZ is a writer, teacher, and podcaster who encourages women to love God, think biblically, and live vibrantly. She'll cheer you on, share practical ideas, and point out the beautiful ways God is working in your life. She’s delighted to host the Expect Something Beautiful podcast with Revive Our Hearts and to be writing her first book. She and her husband, Ryan, and their six children make their home in Pennsylvania. Meet her at LauraBooz.com.