Lesson #7: We don't look for the light until we're in the dark.

"Se fue la luz" is a popular expression in Copan....literally translated, it means "the light has left." Many times since moving to Copan, the electricity has gone out unexpectedly at home, at school, and even while eating in restaurants. Immediately following the loss of light, people begin scurrying around looking for matches and candles to light. Then we resume whatever we were doing before the electricity went out (unless we no longer can because it involved the use of electricity.)
Similarly, the light in my bathroom is not stable. Sometimes while using the facilities, the light will randomly go off and then not come back on again for several minutes; so I find myself using the bathroom, showering, brushing my teeth, or fixing my hair in the dark. After this occurred for several days, the light finally went out altogether...seemingly never to come back on again. For that reason, I visited the local commercial store to buy a new light bulb. I asked my landlord for a ladder to replace the bulb, and I told him about the frustrations with the light in my bathroom. He told me that he wanted to check it out for himself; so he did. As soon as he began to unscrew the bulb, it lit up once again. That was an easy enough solution to my problem...for now.
Most recently, last night (Saturday) I began washing my clothes outside in the pila at around 5, and it begins to get dark here right at 6. I knew that I didn't have very much time before it would be dark outside, but I wanted to get my clothes washed yesterday. I normally wash my clothes on Saturday mornings, but I had chosen to go on a hike instead. By the time I finished washing my clothes, it was really dark outside; but I still had to take the last of my washed clothes upstairs to the terrace to hang them on the clothesline to dry. I was dreading this because I hate having to stumble around in the dark to try to find a place to hang my clothes. I've never actually hung my clothes in the dark. I've only tried taking them off the line in the dark when I've realized that the shirt I need for school the next day is still hanging on the line upstairs. As I reached the top of the stairs, I noticed a light switch hanging from the ceiling. For the first time it occurred to me that there might be a light in the terrace. I glanced around me, and sure enough, I saw one. I flipped on the switch-AND THERE WAS LIGHT! I never would've looked for that light had I not had to face the challenge of hanging my clothes in the dark.
Just as I have been searching for light literally within my surroundings, I've also been searching for light in my life spiritually. I'm trying to intentionally "walk in the light, God himself being the light," as I John 1 says. This need to find the light and walk in it has slowly become more and more of a reality to me. Although I understood this idea conceptually, I didn't claim it as my own journey until I realized that I was in a dark place of doubts, confusion, and fears. When I cried out for the truth, I was reminded that Jesus is the Truth and God is the Light. I am unsure about how to practically live this out, but God is showing me that by daily submitting myself to Him, He will show me what His purpose for my life is within His plan. Along with that, I am also learning patience and trust. If I was never in the dark, I would never have to search for the Light.