Open the Tent Fly

Even the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.

                                    — J.R.R. Tolkien

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:2, NLT)

When I was in my twenties I went on a three-day raft trip with my Dad and a couple of other guys. We were on the Smith River, deep in the remote wilderness of Montana. The experience was amazing. On the first night of the trip, Dad and I set up our pup tent, laid out our sleeping bags and quickly fell asleep. We were exhausted from a full day of rowing, exploring and fun. 

I tend to be a wild sleeper—prone to talking in my sleep, half-awake/half-asleep moments, and occasional sleepwalking. I awoke in our pup tent in the dead of night, enveloped in complete blackness. We were in the wilderness, with no streetlights or artificial light—just mountains and darkness looming all around—and in my half-asleep state, I panicked. 

I couldn’t see a thing, and I was scared. My dad tried to console me, gently saying, “It’s okay bud, I’m here with you. We’re just sleeping in a tent on our raft trip.” But in my half-asleep state, I couldn’t be calmed. Finally, my dad unzipped the tent fly and told me to look up. The stars were breathtaking—their light pierced the darkness and dispelled my fear. I came to my senses and peacefully went back to sleep. 

Even kind words in the darkness couldn’t bring me peace. It took the light to dispel my fear. Fear and darkness are intertwined. Just as light dispels darkness, it also dispels fear. The moment I saw the light, my fear faded. 

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

Are you in the dark? Jesus is the light we need. Just as the stars pierced the darkness that night in the Montana wilderness, so does the light of Jesus pierce through the panic and fear in our lives. His light brings clarity in confusion, comfort in anxiety, and peace where there is worry. Darkness, panic, and fear are no match for the light of His love and presence. 

Look to Jesus. Open the tent fly of your heart and let Him light up your life.