Psalm 119: 105 (New Living Translation) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Have you ever walked around outside at night? On a clear and starry night, you can see where you are going by the light of the moon, that is, if the moon is out. I remember going on a retreat once. I had forgotten to take a flashlight, the moon was not visible, and it was really dark.

There were no street lights or porch lights, and I could not see where my feet were going to step next. I walked along the road I knew was the right path, but I stumbled as my foot hit rocks and dips in the road. I remembered that I had walked along in the light, and I tried to remember where the holes and dips were, but I would stumble in the dark as I found them. Then a friend shared a light with me. Not a lot of light, but just enough for me to see where my feet were stepping. I didn't stumble anymore because I could see just enough to see the holes and dips that were just ahead of me.

As we walk along life's road, sometimes the way can seem dark. We start this Christian journey with excitement, but over time, we may forget to read God's word, and we may forget to pray. All of a sudden, it seems like we're walking in the dark with no spiritual direction.

Then we hear a sermon or listen to someone talk about God, and it's just enough light for us to see where we are - for us to realize that we are walking in darkness. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12, New Living Translation).

The Psalmist reminds us that God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Have you read your Bible lately? Have you spent time in prayerful conversation with God? Why not make today a day full of God's light so that you do not continue to stumble along in the dark world?

Jan McCoy is associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Covington. She may be reached at jan.mccoy@ngumc.net.