The fall of the year is my favorite season, by far. I love the cooler temperatures and the smell of fall. To me, there is nothing quite like it. It's no wonder an evening not so long ago was so incredible.

Gracie, our 13-month old cockapoo, had to go outside. It had been a dreary cloud-covered day with leaves blowing in the wind. The cornfield across the road is ready for harvest, the beans in the field behind us have been picked and winter wheat sown. The beauty of this season absolutely astounds me.

I grabbed Gracie's leash and we stepped out onto the front porch. She began to walk into the yard as I looked up. I literally gasped! I mean, I audibly gasped. The beauty of what I beheld with my own eyes was indescribable.

The sun was low in the western sky and brilliantly peering through small breaks in the cloud cover. The rays lit the top of the trees bordering the family property like they were on fire—oranges and yellows and reds vibrantly aglow against the darkness of approaching nightfall.

Gracie finished her business and I went back inside and grabbed my camera. My camera couldn't even hope to capture such an extraordinary scene. But my heart did as I thought about it throughout the evening.

Darkness was dispelled by the brilliance of the sun's rays reflecting on the treetops. Just like God does in our lives—He uses the backdrop of darkness to expose the light of His presence.

When our world is darkened by difficulties and challenges, God never fails to shine His light and reveal His presence. We simply have to look for it.

The brilliance of the fall sky I witnessed would never have impacted me if I hadn't taken the time to look. And that's the key … we must SEEK Him—LOOK for the evidence of God's presence in our circumstances.

"Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Exodus 13:22 NIV)

God's presence never left its place in front of the children of Israel as He led them through the wilderness. In like manner, His presence will never leave its place in front of us as he leads us through difficult and challenging days.

Father, help me to see Your light shining in my darkness when I am overcome with life's challenges. Lord, Your word tells me if I seek You, You will be found by me. Help me to seek You—let me see the light of Your presence against the backdrop of the darkness of this world. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

© Jan Ross
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