Treasures of darkness

My hobby, carving diamond willow.

I’m amazed at the timeliness of Os Hillman’s blog writing and my circumstances. If you don’t get his daily blog, I’d encourage you to consider doing so. They can be contacted through Marketplace Leaders [tgif@marketplaceleaders.org].

Today’s writing is so pertinent. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name (Isa 45:3).
When God takes you to a depth of soul experience be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During these times God often leads us to amazing new discoveries. It can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.“

My recent Parkinson’s experience is a good example of darkness where I’m mining treasure. The overwhelming fear of not being able to walk again has propelled me into a quest for knowing God at a deeper level, because “perfect love casts out all fear,” and the only source of perfect love I know is God. I’m learning that I can know God intellectually by reading His Word. I’m learning that meshing the cognitive with the affective (feeling level), that there is greater sense of His Presence. The environment that provides this seems to be found in the milieu of darkness (adversity, stretching, tough times.)

In going through John 15 again this morning, the word “obedience” leapt out at me. Jesus speaking, ”I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in His love.” Living in His love through obedience.

Consequently, my growth theme for the year, which is “God, Search me. Confront me. Lead me,” is very appropriate. Show me any area of disobedience that could obstruct my receiving the message of God’s love and sovereignty in my life.

The PD experience has also motivated me to search out what I can do to deal with PD constructively. Become more stress-free, develop a deeper joyful, grateful spirit because that produces dopamine in the brain (which my medication does), exercise, be creative and connect with significant people that are uplifting.

Hillman finishes his article with, “When we go through a trial of adversity, we need to understand that God is performing radical surgery on our life. The purpose of this surgery is not to destroy us, but to give us a new heart. God is making a fundamental change in who we are and who we will be. And, He will always reveal treasures from these secret places if we are willing to walk through the process patiently.”

I'd prefer not having times of darkness, but I sure appreciate the treasures that come from God through them.

Treasures in Darkness

Our back yard depicting the crucifixion of the "old man."

We’ve all experienced “the dark night of the soul,” where it seemed that nothing was going right. Nothing made sense. Dreams were seemingly lost. An unexpected disease. A financial crisis. A confusing time indeed.

Our first reaction to the dark night is usually: “get me out of here” or “turn on the light.” Darkness is uncomfortable. It is a time of insecurity.

However, whether we were the cause for the darkness or whether it was just life, there is value in darkness. To those whose trust is in the Lord and have yielded their lives to Him, I can resolutely say: “God is in the process of doing a great work in your life. You might not see the evidence of it yet.”

From my own life experience and in the observation of others, it seems that God does His deepest work in maturing us during those periods of darkness. Isaiah 45:3 challenges us with: “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches.I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name
And Job reminds us in 12:22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;he brings light to the deepest gloom.
And the Israelites experienced God’s work in Exodus 14:21: All that night the Lord drove the sea back.

God is working in your darkness right now “driving the sea back”. One of my darkest nights was after I had sold my ranch and given up my counseling practice in Birmingham to teach and coach at a christian college in Tennessee. My wife died unexpectedly. I was unjustly fired and couldn’t find any other work utilizing my experience. That has been nine years ago. What seemed like an unfair forced retirement has been a time of purging, breaking and stripping.

The treasures that have come out of that darkness was a stripping of pride, self sufficiency, performance oriented idolatry. Replaced by an ever deepening trust in the Lord, peace of mind, contentment and fulfillment. The proces was painful. The product – worth it all.

“All that night the Lord worked. He uncovered mysteries and gave me rich treasures of a maturing life in Him.” Praise the Lord.

Are you going through a dark valley? Hang on. Don’t ask “why?” Ask “how?” How do you want to use this tough time in my life? What treasures of darkness are you providing for me through this experience?

Going to Kentucky to be with my son. Be back in a week.