Flickering but Not Extinguished

By Natalia Nosker

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

The days, weeks, and even months following events such as MEW inspire great pursuit after God. Messages from speakers and classmates, direct enough to strike a chord in the hearts of any listening, fan into flame the students, parents, and teachers’ relationships with Jesus. This MEW - Alight - was no different in impacting the Dalat community. Hearts were lit for Jesus whether it be for the first time, or the catching on fire of branches that had burned out. 

Nate Johnson (12) shared the following message God placed on his heart this past Saturday at the worship night that regularly occurs at his house:

“While we were worshipping, a picture came to mind of this wet, thick black blanket covering the    people of God in Penang. The blanket was laid over them; over the blanket was God shining like the sun over his people. Evil and darkness covered the people and they were cut off from the feeling of "sunshine on their skin". They still had God within them, yet the feeling of being in the sun - or the presence of God - had dramatically changed. 

"Coming out of MEW, the enemy’s plan was to snuff out the people who were alight for God by covering them in a heaviness. But despite being out of the sun, the people of God persevered and continued to strengthen themselves with worship and prayer. As they did this, the fire within them was reignited and they began to burn in such a way that the blanket became dry, eventually burning up completely. Holes formed in the blanket, and the people began to feel the sun on them again as more and more people were reignited. 

"Heaviness and sorrows make it feel like God is far away. But we need to strengthen ourselves in God by reminding ourselves of truth (scripture) and worshiping and praying regardless of how it makes us feel. This is how we overcome the enemy.”

The world is a place of need - people need food, they need healthcare, they need education. But there is something greater about their need for a community, and their need for a Saviour.

In this past week, the Dalat community has seen this need met in light of heavy hearts sharing one another’s burdens and helping the community.