BROADCASTS.com

b'Merrick lifted the candle as he clutched his tunic. He felt the sand underfoot as shadows danced on the cave walls. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Beautiful, yes?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Father\\u2019s voice comforted him and pushed him to ignore the darkness. Yes, it was breathtaking\\u2014like a hidden world. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153All this time,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Merrick said, fixing his eyes on the glittering ceiling, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153the cave/went farther than we imagined.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d.\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153How about going farther now?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Father asked. Merrick took a deep breath and continued forward. Now was not the time to fear. The candle was near, as was Father. Besides, exploring was fun. He kept the candle outstretched and stepped after Father\\u2019s form. Suddenly, the flame flickered and with a whoosh, the candle went out. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Father!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d.\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I\\u2019m here, son. Stay calm.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d He heard Father\\u2019s voice but could feel the panic seeping inside and eating his breath. Merrick reached Father and threw himself against him..\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Are we to die in here?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d With the ink of night polluting his vision?.Father wrapped his arm around Merrick. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Tell me, what blew your candle out?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d .\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153What?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Merrick\\u2019s breathing slowed..\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Listen, wind is whistling around us.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Yes, Merrick could hear the whisper. Then he could feel it. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153And if you train your ears, you may hear a crashing.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Merrick lifted his head from Father\\u2019s tunic. Could it be the ocean? \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I suppose if we move toward that/sound we shall find light and escape this darkness. Place your hand on the wall and/trace the rock as we walk.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Eager to see light, Merrick obeyed, his heart still shaking. Together they let the wind guide them. Soon, a faint light erupted into their line of sight..\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The darkness never lasts. Remember who our Light is.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Father\\u2019s words lit Merrick\\u2019s/heart with courage. Now, he could see blue etched around the white haze..Darkness would not last..Merrick ran into the first wave that lapped into the cave and let it soak his shoes./He lifted his face to the sky, which shone a vibrant hue that melded with a gathering gray. He turned to see Father splashing behind him and laughed with relief. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The darkness is gone.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d/\\u2022 Payton Tilley.\\u2022 Today\\u2019s story is an allegory. Even when life feels dark and confusing, Jesus is the Light of the world. One day, Jesus will return to get rid of all fear and darkness, and in the meantime, He lovingly guides us through everything we face. What are some ways we can we encourage each other with the hope we have in Jesus?.\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I [Jesus] am the light of the world.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d John 9:5b (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJohn.9.5|Ps.32.7-Ps.32.8|Isa.42.16|Luke.1.78-Luke.1.79|John.1.1-John.1.12'