It has been one year.  One year since the implosion turned eucatastrophe.  One year since God brought an outpouring that would begin a renewal and new life in Him.  As I reflect on those moments, I can almost feel an ache in my bones from the pain I experienced, yet it also seems so much further away from me than just one year ago.  

A year later, I can say that those days between January 28-February 9th, 2023 forever changed the trajectory of my life. On February 9th, I decided to skip my therapy program that morning and instead made the familiar drive down to Asbury University. My life seemed to have imploded in the previous days and I was at the complete end of myself. As, I made the drive I was skeptical and yet my very existence needed what I was hearing to be true. They said revival was happening. I needed God to step in, in a massive way. 

The moment I stepped out of my car, I felt His presence in a way I never had before and I have always felt Him on that campus. This was different. This was a new thing. I went into Hughes completely broken and hopeless. In that place He breathed new life into these bones. I left Hughes with a renewed hope that no matter what I had to go back and face at home, He was holding my hand through it. I didn’t want to make that drive back to Louisville that evening, but I knew I had to go back to start working through the mess.

As I started the drive home, I did a double take as it almost looked like there was mountain range to my left, but there are not any mountains in that part of Kentucky.  I began to realize I was seeing a cloud that encircled the town of Wilmore.  I have never seen anything like it before.  I was immediately reminded of Exodus 19:9, “The LORD said to Moses: I am coming to you now in a dense cloud, so that when the people hear me speaking with you, they will also remain faithful to you.” 

As I began to drive through the cloud, It became as dark as midnight.  I felt God say, “I know it feels like you are going back to complete darkness and pain, but you are taking my presence and my light with you.”  I began to feel peace and assurance that He was in this mess with me and He was working in it.  

The things that have unfolded in the last year continue to blow my mind. He turned that implosion into a eucatastrophe and it has been a year of learning new rhythms of life and abiding in Him. He continues to bring healing, redemption, and restoration into the things that seemed lost. I’m so in awe of Him and so thankful to be here against all odds.  He has been my illuminating light in the darkness.

I don’t know what darkness you might be facing today, but He will be your light if you turn to Him.  He will make a way in the dark and illuminate His path for you.  Friend, I am praying you know He is holding your hand as you walk through the dark.  May we land on grace.