You are seen in the darkness

This week, I’ve carried the weight of several conversations with members of our family who are walking through deep, soul-shaking grief. If that is you—if you brought a heavy heart to our gathering last Sunday—I want you to know: I am so glad you were there."

I am deeply grateful that we serve a God who doesn't just observe us from a distance, but one who sees, listens, and acts. It is in His very nature to care. In Genesis 16, we meet Hagar—a woman mistreated, exhausted, and fleeing into a literal desert. It is there, in her lowest moment, that she gives God a name: El Roi. The God Who Sees Me.

The Psalmist so eloquently captures this aspect of God in Psalm 139:

"If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me...' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

I want you to know that dark places are not dark to God. There is no valley of shadow where His vision fails. He knows exactly where you are, and He knows the weight of everything you're carrying.

As we gather this coming Sunday, please, bring your burdens. Do not feel the need to make light of them or hide them. Jesus, the Light of the World, is present in the middle of the mess. As 1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

I love you. If you are hurting, please don’t walk alone. Reach out to me, our co-ministers, or our Elders. We don't want to just "know" you're hurting—we want to walk with you and pray with you.

Until Sunday,

Jeff Dumo, Worship Minister 

For His Name. For His Renown. (Isa. 26:8)