May 30

Some people experience a darkness unlike anything else they have ever experienced before when they take a tour down into a cave. Once under the earth, the tour guide pauses the tour for a moment and shuts off all the lights so that everyone can experience something that is unavailable in ordinary life above
ground: total darkness.

I have been in coal mines deep underground, where such darkness is kept at bay by the many lights strung up along the many hallways. But of all the many encounters with darkness I have experienced, the one I will never forget was a night when I was alone in the desert (I was in the army) and without a handy light source.

The stars were so incredibly bright and sharp--and there were so many of them! They stretched across the sky, millions upon millions of them.Yet it was so dark where I stood that I could not see my hand in front of my face.

In the darkness, I heard sounds: A herd of wild mules coming closer and closer, until they seemed so close that I had to move to cover -- yet I never saw them. When they were gone, the deep silence returned and allowed me to pick up the slightest noise that broke that silence.

I heard a rattlesnake -- I assumed -- make its winding way through the sand, the little sideways movements making just enough noise for my ears to pick up what I could not see.

Later, I heard something even more incredible. I first saw, and then heard, a meteor flash across the sky. It came close enough for me to hear the swish of its trail.

All this time, I heard without seeing. I had no light source with me. And all this time, I felt the presence of God strongly: in the darkness and the little lights above in that darkness, and in the sounds of the night -- and in the silence.

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Even silence is praise to God (Psalm 65:1).


Scripture for today: Psalm 148
Thought for today: The beauty of nature reflects the beauty of its Creator.
Prayer for today: I praise you, Lord, for the beauty of your world and for your own beauty.

MAY 30