treasures in the darkness

"I will give you treasures of darkness." Isaiah 45:3

In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are altogether darkened, except for a light from one small window, which falls directly upon the pattern. There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls on the threads of his weaving. "This," visitors are told by the guide, "is the way we secure our choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light."

Could it be the same with us in our life? Sometimes it is very dark. We can not understand what we are doing. We do not see the web we are weaving. We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good in our experience. Yet if we are faithful and do not faint, we will someday know that the most exquisite work of all our life was done in those days when it was so dark.

If you are in the deep shadows today because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith. God is watching and he will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears."

-adapted from J.R. Miller