Darkness can be alluring. It calls us saying, “You won’t get hurt. Come and see what I have for you. Go your own way. No one will ever know. No one will see you.”
But often, what we hide in the dark ends up snagging us, catching us and having us for dinner. What we think is carefully hidden away bites us when we least expect it.
It reminds me of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. She was cute. She was adventurous. She had good intentions. She was bringing delicious food to a sweet old grandmother, after all. It doesn’t get much more honorable than that!
Eager to give, happy to serve and ready to love – she was the ideal target for a hungry wolf. A wolf hiding and waiting to snatch her, so that she could not live out her calling.
He succeeded. Because our adorable Little Red Riding Hood, skipping with her basket of fruit, jumped at the chance to do things her own way. While told to stay in the light, she stepped into the shadows of the woods. While told not to talk with strangers, she answered the crafty words of the wolf. Perhaps she couldn’t see him quite clearly, as the cover of the trees casted out the light. No matter, she listened to the wrong voice and she went the wrong direction – ultimately landing in the dark belly of a wolf.
We may wonder how Little Red Riding Hood got duped by a wolf in grandma’s clothing . . . But, have you ever noticed that when you stay in the dark for long enough, it makes it really hard to see the light?
As the wolf whispered sweet nothings to her, she believed him – because she had been in the darkness too long. It was no longer easy for her to see truth. She was acclimated to darkness.
When we are in darkness, seeing the light can be hard on our eyes. It becomes easier to stay in darkness. Darkness leads to more darkness. Small lies lead to big snarled up messes. Little missteps lead to a foot caught in a huge metal trap. Our own ways lead to a wolf’s feeding day.
When we walk down dark paths we get stuck in dark pits.
We look up and see the light in the distance, but we aren’t sure what to do. We may realize our mistake, but often hide out of embarrassment.
God doesn’t desert us though. He loves us too much. He is with us. He sees us hiding. He always has.
He knows this wolf – and he has already overcome him.
He shines light into our pits. His light illuminates our escape.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. {Psalm 119:105}
He reveals precisely the location to place our feet so we can climb towards Him. He shines truth through His Word into the depths of our pit. He is there. He comes to our rescue.
Even when we step away from His radiant truth, He will never leave us.
Today, the light may seem dim, but it is still there – ready to lead us to hope, encouragement and repair.
No matter what darkness you find yourself in, choose to see the glimmer of light.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {2 Cor. 4:6}
Jesus didn’t choose to abandon us on the cross and He won’t abandon us today. He is with us. He knows us. His glory and His light extend far beyond the miles of trees, far beyond the shadows and far beyond the words attempting to lure us back into darkness.
We are called into safe pastures. We are called into truth. We are called to see light.
His light is so bright; it will illuminate our steps until we reach the light of eternity.
Leave a CommentIn all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. {Proverbs 3:6}
Tyra says
Thank you thank you. Praying the light floods the recesses of my heart. It has been so rainy and dreary where I live for a week now and it’s taking it’s toll but as my 4 year old reminded me, the sun is still up there shining. Thanks again for your words of grace.
Kelly Balarie says
Tyra, that is so right. I just read this verse this morning, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Sometimes, we have to really search for the light, but to your point – it is there. Keep searching, keep following, keep on, keeping on.
Kasey Hanson says
Hi Kelly, I am visiting from COMPEL and thank you for this push to not get acclimated to darkness. Thank you for your encouragement to walk in the light and I love how you explained how to do it. Great word!
Kelly Balarie says
Hi Kasey! Thanks for visiting from Compel and your kind words. Keep in the light!
Mom@lthfarm says
This was just what I needed to read before laying my head down to rest! Thank you!!
Kelly Balarie says
I am delighted. 🙂
Renee Griffin says
These are beautiful words from a beautiful woman. Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your gift with the world. To God be all the glory! Keep lifting Him high.
Much love,
Renee
Kelly Balarie says
Renee, thank you for reading this. I am humbled and gracious for your love sister!
Anne Watson says
Kelly, I love how you use Red Riding Hood in your post. You are very relatable and right on point. The analogy of the wolf makes the light go on for me. 🙂 Really well done.
Kelly Balarie says
Anne, thank you so much for your words. I am glad the wolf sparked a light for you. I love your encouraging words. I am so appreciative. May you walk down God’s paths as you pursue the glory of our Lord.
Virginia says
Thank you for reminding me that the light is always there and we have to put forth an effort sometimes to feel the light. Thanks for the warmth of your words which I know are a grace given to you from Truth to share. Thanks for the courageous words and for following the path given to you. You are a gift
Kelly Balarie says
Thank you Virginia for these words. How sweet of you. It is an honor to be able to share this truth. Your words mean more than you know! 🙂
Ellie says
Thank you Kelly for reminding me to walk away from temptation and to reach for god when darkness seems to be all around. I needed a message like this to remind myself to keep my head held high and feel protected everyday.
Kelly Balarie says
I am so glad that this message spoke to you Ellie. Thank you for reading it. You are so protected – and so loved!
Christy U. says
Thanks so much, Kelly, for sharing your heart on this. It’s so easy to forget that one step toward the darkness can lead us into the depths of sin. Been there. Lord, help us to always be on guard for where Satan would like to take us. Praise God that He is stronger!
Kelly Balarie says
You said it so well Christy! Super duper thank you for your comment. Let’s be on guard!
Katie Davis says
This is such an inspirational reading. You truly have a gift at using analogies to make truths easier to understand. I had never put more thought into the fable of Little Red Riding Hood other than the storyline. This reading was so touching that I doubt I will ever read it again without thinking of the deeper morale behind the actual words. Thank you.
Kelly Balarie says
Well, what amazingly sweet words these are. Thank you. To think that now you will be reminded of God’s light and our potential for disobedience whenever you read LRR is awesome. Thank you so much for reading this!
Jodie says
Such an new and wonderful way to see a story so well know and told to us as children! So thankful that Jesus didn’t choose to abandon us on the cross and He won’t abandon us today. We are called into safe pastures. We are called into truth. We are called to see light! As always Kelly’s words and heart have the ability to draw us near to the cross and thus the heart of God!!
Kelly Balarie says
Jodie, you always give me the goosebumps. You are such an encourager. Thank you for your heart and thank you for reading this.
rosie says
love the visual of little red riding hood illustrating how no matter how much we think we are doing “good” we are not completely safe and we still need to follow our one and only light and saviour.
Kelly Balarie says
Thank you so much for this Rosie! Let’s keep on God’s well lit path and continue to move towards his light!
Theresa says
Kelly, what an insightful post! I am relived with your ending that we can step out of the darkness into Gods arms whenever we decide to do so. We are not alone, but loved and cared for.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Kelly Balarie says
Thank you for this Theresa. God does stand ready to lift us from our pits; that is the amazing part!
Meredith Bernard says
What a beautiful post, Kelly. And so PROUD of you to see you here! 🙂 I love this thought, “when you stay in the dark for long enough, it makes it really hard to see the light.” I have proved that over and over (unfortunately….), but also so thankful that, “God doesn’t desert us though. He loves us too much. He is with us. He sees us hiding. He always has.” You said it perfect! Thank you friend. So glad to know you. <3
Kelly Balarie says
Thank you for your kind words Meredith. You are a joy to know! I agree, I am so glad that God doesn’t desert us. Thanks for visiting my post friend!
Beth Williams says
Kelly,
Thank you for the reminder that no matter what we need to go to the “light” of God and follow His instructions. This year has been rough for me dealing with an aging father and his medical issues. It is so easy to get discouraged with that going on and work being busy and stressful. Through it all I tried to follow the light of God and do as He instructs.
The analogy of Red Riding Hood is uniquely interspersed through this and makes a great point!
Love your writing!
Kelly Balarie says
Beth, kudos to you for following the light in a hard time. I know that is not easy. I too, have had medical issues and it is so easy to let your mind drift to that dark place. Keep following the Lord and he will keep you strong!
Marty says
What a precious reminder of God’s continual watch-care of His sheep. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Kelly Balarie says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Marty.
Jenny Shinsky says
Kelly
These words are amazing and have a great affect on me. Thank you for writing this
Kelly Balarie says
Oh Jenny, I am so happy they had an impact on you. What a gift this comment is.