God Is Our Light

by Dr. Ann Pearson on September 21, 2020

We have all been affected in some way by Hurricane Sally. Each of us has our own stories of fear, anxiety, devastation and heart break. My encouragement for you this morning is sharing how God blessed me through the hurricane night. I stayed up late, apprehensive for the storm to come and hoping it would not come at night. I fell asleep around 12 midnight and was awaken by 1:00 am to the whistling wind and pounding rain. I could hear the rain beating on my front door and believing at any moment the door was going to fly open. What could I do? I was feeling anxious and my thoughts went to needing a sign from God. So I turned on my battery operated candle and the Light of Jesus kept me calm. I know it seems possibly trite and simple but this worked for me in the very moment to calm my fears and trust that God’s light of protection was all around me. Many times our situations challenge us to trust. There is still much to be done to bring healing and restoration back to our lives from this storm but I believe God can do that for you as He did for me.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calms the storms when the disciples were out in the boat.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

This passage not only reveals Jesus’ true humanity, but also Jesus' diety. Only God can make the “winds and water obey.” With one quick word from Christ, the storm ceased and the sea became calm. The disciples marveled at this powerful display of Jesus’ supernatural ability over the elements. If He can calm the storms of the sea with one word, He can calm the storms of life as well.

Every time I need a sign from God, He shows up more magnificent than I imagined. That’s the loving and faithful God I know. Just as he calmed the winds and storms with His disciples, He has done it for me once again and can do it for each of you. There are still hard days ahead for some of you so Trust and Obey because there is no other way.

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? ...

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. May your Light outshine all the fears and obstacles we face and allow You to guide our steps in our journey. In Christ’s Holy Name, Amen

My love and prayers,

Ann

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

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