drive.

Picture yourself driving through an unknown land in the dark. You've never been there or seen pictures of it or even heard of what it's like. The only clue you have of it's like is what your yellow headlights can see.  You see a bush here and there, or maybe even some creature scurrying across the road.  You pass a couple signs pointing you in the right direction, but you surely can't see your destination or any other glimpse of it's existence.  The area is vast, unknown, and it's length and depth are unreachable.  Your heart is on edge because you fear what may be around you.  You cast quick glances to each side; your eyes shifting from right to left.  You're making sure of your footing and placement. Making sure you're not being followed and making sure you're safe.  A fear begins to creep that can only be felt in solitude.  You cling tighter to the steering wheel, you're scared of where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. It's all your foot can do but to keep itself on the accelerator.  You're high above the marked speed, but your head doesn't care; your heart is too terrified.

This place is called darkness.

You keep driving; keep pushing that pedal.  Something changes in you and in the expanses around you.  Soft and cool colors begin to form shapes on the horizon.  A mist covers the ground ahead and a pink glow begins to peak over the mountains ahead.  Soon color unfolds itself in the warmest arrays, creating depth and length, perception and texture.  It's the color of dawn.  The spectrum fades into view as your own headlights become obsolete.  Greens, purples, reds.   You realize that you've been in a valley all this time.  A valley lush with the brightest green that your eyes can communicate to you.  A refreshing and comforting feeling overwhelms you as you gaze at the beauty of a Spring morning.  The beauty around you is surreal.  The brightness of the foliage is unfathomable.  Your destination is in full view and you feel safe.  The road in between doesn't phase you because the final goal is being reached.  When you look to your left you see a caravan; you were never really alone.  It was just too dark to see the ones around you.  When you look to your right you see a figure in the seat next to you.  Your eyes squint to see a familiar face.  The figure is asleep; waiting for the dawn as well.  Through the darkness His steadiness and assuredness was right beside you. That figure is Jesus and He is that close to you.  You are still in the valley, but no longer in darkness.  Nothing changed except your perception.  All along you had no reason to fear; no reason to doubt.  You smile as He awakes and rolls down the window.  You breath in the fresh morning breeze.  Then, you thank Him for the night with humble tears because it taught you to trust.

This place is where I am.
<3

"'You of little faith' [Jesus] said, 'why did you doubt?'"

Matthew 14:31