God’s Word is a Light for My Path

The Bible says God’s Word is a light for my path. But sometimes, I fumble with it just like my broken lamp.

My lamp takes cajoling every time I attempt to turn it on. I twist and turn the switch, left and right, until it eventually clicks on the lamp.

Even though it’s technically ‘broken’ – my lamp still has ‘life’ left in it and purpose.

I could’ve thrown it away or replaced it, but I haven’t. It still works. 

The Metaphor of the Broken Lamp

I’m like my broken lamp – with a switch that’s difficult to engage. Despite my many failures, faults, and flaws, God has never given up on me either.

Like my broken lamp, He has coaxed and shepherded me back to His care. He has engaged my Christian ‘switch’ and guided me, ever so gently, back to His flock. His light is shining on and through me – a broken, yet still useful, lamp. 

God’s patience, grace and mercy has been infinitely kind and loving. He searched my heart and knew that it was good. He polished my tarnished edges and removed the blinders from my eyes. I know that I’m still a work in progress but I’m grateful that He continues to see my potential, despite my broken pieces – just like that broken lamp. 

Related Post: What Happens in the Light

I finally see His light, too.

The light He’s shone into my heart and soul – illuminating all the dark places. I see and feel His love, from above. I hear His whispers of Fatherly love and guidance.

You, God, are no longer distant to me. I know you’re there. I know you know my name. I know you know me.

A Light for My Path

I recently started writing again. I keep a running journal on my phone of thoughts, ideas, poems… things that touch my heart and mind. They’re a written narrative that closely reflect many of my prayers and conversations with God.

Yesterday, I wrote my reflection on my broken lamp. In fact, it felt like it just spilled out of me.

Today, after I finished my Bible study and prayed, I opened my journal from the previous day. I couldn’t believe the parallels of what I had written yesterday and how it perfectly aligned with what I read in the Bible today.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
~ 1 Kings 19:12

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
~ Psalm 119:105

Those verses were part of what I read today – all in lock step with what I had written the day before.

Later this morning on a walk, I listened to a sermon by the late, great, Dr. Tim Keller. In his sermon, he recounted a Bible story and verse that I also read earlier this morning.

When God Whispers

Were all of these ‘God winks’ mere cosmic coincidences?

I don’t think so. 

I’m absolutely convinced that there are no coincidences in life – and particularly when it comes to God. When I’m tempted to believe in one, I’m often proven wrong.

It is the Holy Spirit speaking to me – to you, to all of us, if we’re connected enough with Him to listen.

He speaks to all of us in very individual ways, in ways to engage our ‘switch’… but are we quiet enough to hear Him?

Related Post: When Prayers Seems Unanswered

This world glorifies loud, ‘in your face’ distractions that are so easy to consume, and in turn, they consume us. 

How great thou art, dear Lord. Thank you for being my Heavenly Father – for never giving up on me and opening my heart, my eyes and my ears so I can hear your voice and see the light from your lamp, guiding this wayward sheep back to her shepherd. 

About the Author

Amanda Malcolm

Amanda Malcolm is a proud wife and mother. She and her husband have been married for 34 years. They are parents to an amazing son who works as a molecular research scientist and volunteer firefighter. In her former professional life, she was a public and media relations professional for an international/global bank. For the last 10 years, she has worked part-time as a certified personal trainer. In her free time, Amanda enjoys her Bible study, writing, exercising, riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle and RV camping with her husband and dog. She has 12 more states to visit before completing her goal of seeing the entire United States.