Out of Darkness - Guest Post by Misti Streeter

I know that if we live long enough many of us will inevitably walk a dark path as I've shared in a previous post about my own struggles with depression and hard times. This week our guest author, Misti Streeter, has encapsulated finding truth in her message, "Out of Darkness" (as follows).

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).  

This verse has always been one of my favorites. It is filled with boundless hope and beauty and perfectly encapsulates the unending grace and mercy of our God. The incredible revelation spoken in this verse reveals to us his promise of redemption and illuminates the fact that He, indeed, has chosen us.  

I have always applied this verse to the day the Lord filled me with the Holy Ghost and saved me. He chose me, pulled me up out of sin and set me on the path to eternity. This verse has always been such a beautiful reminder to me that he knows my name, but as I read this verse a few days ago, I realized I had been limiting it to my past and not applying its power to my present.  

How often do we find ourselves in the midst of pain and suffering? We are caught, maybe even trapped, in the cross winds of a dark storm blowing so violently around us, that all we can do is simply collapse under its weight and let it consume us. Ever been there?  

But what if…… 

What if we applied this verse to our present-day situations instead of looking at it as only a redemptive attribute of our past?  

The end of last year brought an unexpected storm. In the sudden chaos of it all, I literally felt as if I was standing on an elevated ledge in complete and total darkness. Every direction I looked I saw the same thing…. dark. As the winds grew stronger, I began to lower myself closer to the floor, trying desperately to keep balanced on the ledge of the unknown. Eye’s shut tight, and head tucked low, I steadied my stance, trying to anchor myself to withstand this turbulence. So many questions flooded my mind. 

For weeks I prayed, but the winds kept blowing. Months went by and the rain proved to be relentless. “Why, God? Where are you?! Please show me what is happening!!”  I screamed the words, but they seemed to get lost, tossed aside in the hurricane of turmoil that surrounded us.  

Then it happened. Despite the torrential downpour and windstorm, in a moment of bravery, I squinted my eyes open to survey my surroundings. There, in the far corner of this chaos, I noticed a blurry figure lurking in the shadows. Yes, the shadows. For there to be a shadow, there has to be light. As the realization registered, I raised my head and opened my eyes wide to find the enemy squatted directly in front of me, watching.  

It was in that moment, as I stared into the hollow of the darkness, I recognized the source of the storm and this verse came rushing back to memory, “…out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  

I was hunched over in a darkness created by my own insecurity, doubt, and fear. Like a little child, I had closed my eyes tight and allowed my imagination to take control, completely forgetting the truth that I knew. I had traded reality and absolutes for fake and lies. I had believed the lies to be truth and even justified their source. I had allowed myself to create the darkness, not the storm, but the darkness. Oh, but my anchor, Jesus, was faithful and gracious to hold me steady and sure. I had panicked at the sight of the fiery darts of a desperate and brutal enemy and closed my eyes tight in fear, causing eye contact with Jesus to be lost and darkness to invade.  

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness (John 12:46 [KJV]).  

“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7 [KJV]). 

Jesus, once again, was calling me out of darkness, into His marvelous light and in doing so, He was allowing the brightness and radiance of His glory to cast light into my darkness, revealing the truth behind the lies and illuminate the source of the disturbance that was trying to destroy. You see, God’s marvelous light was, in my present situation, creating a dimly lit shadow that exposed my enemy.  

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds… (2 Cor. 10:4 [KJV]).  

Let me encourage your heart today. YOU are chosen. YOU are a child of a King, a royal priesthood. He has called YOU out of the darkness, even the darkness you find yourself in this very moment. He sees YOU.  

Open your eyes. Stand up straight and look upward, locking your eyes to meet the eyes of your Savior. You will find them to be full of love and grace, yet strong with justice and authority.  

As I began to look around me, I realized the ledge I thought I was teetering on was the bow of a ship that was anchored to the Rock of my salvation. The sails were effortlessly blowing in the wind and the sky didn’t look so threatening anymore. Jesus was guiding and protecting the entire time. His light was shining into the darkness of my world and bringing clarity to the darkness.  

Why was the enemy squatted at eye level with me, in the furthest corner? Because that is as close as Jesus was allowing him to come. He had given it his best effort and now he was merely a spectator of the unrivaled majesty and unlimited power of God himself.  

I began to give thanks, praising God for His faithfulness right where I physically stood. Gods light was revealing every question of “why.” Do not be discouraged, but show forth your praises unto Him, that His glory may be known, and continue to illuminate the darkness and the enemy’s agenda.  

Be strong. Stand on the things you know to be true. Just because you see the enemy nearby, does not mean you are defeated. You are, “…more than a conqueror.” When it seems Satan’s fury will overtake, remember, a boundary of protection and grace is being drawn out by the hand of your God.  

There is no need for YOU to fear, for….. 

He has called YOU out of darkness into his marvelous light!  

This verse is not only for the day He saved you, but a reminder of who you are now.  

Who are you? YOU are Chosen. YOU are Royalty. YOU are His. YOU are standing and cloaked in His marvelous light!! 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5 [ESV]).  

Misti Streeter

Misti Streeter (top left) has been married to David (top right) for 22 years and they have two children, Hannah (17) (bottom right) and Jacob (12) (bottom left). She has a B.S. in History with a minor in Christian Counseling and will complete her M.A. in Human Service Counseling (Parent and Child/Adolescent Development) in March of this year. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and traveling. Misti serves on the governing board of the Johnson County Children's Advocacy Center and has a passion for working with families and kids.

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