Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

For centuries, the locals of Meghalaya, India, have manipulated the roots of rubber trees to grow their natural bridges. Stretching over ditches and streams these natural structures will far outlast the man-made metal or wooden bridges that rot and decay in just a few years. The rubber-roots are self-strengthening and become more substantial over time by increasing in thickness. 

Meghalaya also happens to be the rainiest place on earth, receiving 467 inches of rainfall a year. Just to put that in perspective, New York will typically get around 60 inches a year. The men and women who work outdoors wear a sort of full body-umbrella made of bamboo and banana leaves.

One visiting reporter stopped a butcher who was carrying a basket of freshly-cut meat up a steep flight of stairs. He was asked if it was hard to live in a place with so much rain. The 26 year old man replied, “we can’t think about that. Here there’s always rain but we have to work, so it’s no good wondering about it.”

There are many people who tend to take this attitude after experiencing a rude awakening in life. When the days of innocence have passed us by we think tragedy, hardship, trials, and tribulations are just a part of the deal. 

It’s going to rain. It does no good to think about it— we trudge along. 

We’ve got overcast days, cold days, and rainy days— but it doesn’t mean we have to live without any light. 

This post is a simple one. Here’s a few passages to help brighten up the darker days. 

These verses don’t take the hurt out of life but they can put the hope back in our lives when we begin to lose drive. 

Isa. 60.19 

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

John 1.4-5 

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Ps. 40.1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

I John 1.5 

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

I would argue that though it’s impossible for every day to be a sunny one, the Christian will always have access to the Light because of His son.