Hello friends,

I come to you today with a heavy burden on my heart. As recent events have shown, this world is a very dark place—filled with wickedness, violence, brutality, fear, pain, and suffering. All of this is constantly displayed before us in graphic detail through social media, the news, and countless other outlets. Everywhere you look, everywhere you listen, everywhere you turn, it feels like a constant barrage that wears down our spirit and soul with the chaos of today’s world. I know this sounds like a bleak outlook, but it’s the weight I felt all day yesterday—sad, almost depressed, and deeply burdened.

BUT,

Last night was church night, and with everything I had been feeling, my family and I decided to go a little early—before the actual prayer meeting began—to spend some time in prayer. I walked through those doors carrying what felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders and simply made my way to the altar. There, I poured out my heart to God. I told Him about my fears for my family, my little girls growing up in this chaotic world, and the daily struggle of trying to function with so much turmoil all around us. I talked to Him, I cried out to Him, and I prayed and prayed. And in those moments at that altar, I felt the peace of God wash over me—the peace that passes all understanding. I felt the comfort that only the Holy Ghost can provide. I felt safe in His arms.

During the church service, God truly showed up and showed out. His Spirit moved through the entire congregation. There was such a sense of joy, freedom, and release from fear. It felt as if the world and all its chaos were far removed from our little country church. There was liberty, fellowship, and unity. People were worshiping, praising, and lifting up the name of the Lord. God even filled a precious lady, who has been attending our church, with the sweet Holy Ghost! I left that service uplifted—singing a joyful song, comforted by my God, and encouraged by my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

When I got home, while rocking my sweet little baby to sleep, I began to reflect on how the church is our refuge through God. When the family of God gathers under the roof of the church and invites His presence in, that building transforms into a true sanctuary—a safe place for the hurting, scarred, broken, fearful, depressed, addicted, and for anyone carrying the weight of what this cold world has thrown at them. Our church is named Lighthouse Apostolic Church, and I couldn’t help but think of how fitting that name is. A lighthouse is a beacon in a cold, dark, storm-tossed sea. I pictured the images I’ve seen of lighthouses during raging storms—the keeper’s small house looking warm and cozy, standing strong while black storms howl all around. And above it all, the lighthouse shines its light into the darkness, warning of danger and guiding weary travelers to safety.

 With all that has been happening in our world over the past few days—and even in what this day of remembrance represents—I know hearts are stirred. Our nation is stirred. People sense that time is running short. The signs of the times are all around us. Whether they know God or have drifted away from Him, people are feeling convicted and moved. As the church, we must work while there is still a little daylight left! We must be the Lighthouse. We must shine as the light in this gross darkness. There must be an urgency within us to beckon souls into the Lighthouse that is the Church—a place of refuge and safety, a place where God holds us in His arms. I am so thankful that I have that place in God, where He can hide me.

Psalms 27:5 (KJV), “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV), “(6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) “(14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Philippians 2:15 (KJV), “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Luke 10:2 (KJV), “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

– A Redeemed Ruby