Scripture Reading- John : 5-9

Summer is a great time for rest and rejuvenation, and I hope that you have some vacation set aside for you be renewed. Summer is also a great time for many Christian students to go on a mission trip and grow in huge ways. I remember a few years ago when I was preparing to take my third trip to the great country of Guatemala for missions and I found myself going through the motions of preparing like I would for most trips. In preparation I remember paying some bills, getting things together at work, making sure my pregnant wife had someone to check on her, brushing up on my Spanish (Donde es el bano?), and packing my bags (actually my wife packs my bags, she says she likes to and I don’t complain). What I failed to realize was of utmost importance was the need to prepare myself through prayer; somehow through the business of getting ready I had neglected this important step.

We touched down in Guatemala and took a few vans to a missionary house in Guatemala City where we would stay the night before a half day of travel to the city where we would be sharing Christ. I remember getting settled and going to bed, feeling good about having the whole team safely in-country. That night something happened in my sleep that was eye-opening. I believe that God showed me in a dream that I was not prepared to be his light in the darkness of the place we were going. Now, I have to say that God does speak to me, but it is usually through his Word, prayer, worship times, and other believers…but very, very rarely in dreams. Anyways, in my dream I was in a dark place and I was the only light, and the dark was strong and it wanted to extinguish my light but the power of the Holy Spirit was giving me scripture and worship songs to sing so that I could bring the name of Jesus to this dark place. Needless to say I woke up, frightened (and I think I caused such a stir that I woke my roommate, sorry Jim). My dream was vivid and I knew that the Lord was sharing with me that I needed to pray and ask for my light, and our team’s light, to burn bright in the dark places.

I journaled my experience so I would never forget it and I have to say that I have not had a dream like this sense, but the truth of what John 1:5-9 says remains. Jesus is the true light and as his followers we are light bearers and witnesses to the light, like John the Baptist. So, how have you been preparing to be a light in dark places? Will it take a dream, God’s Word, a simple devotional or what to help you wake up? This summer you might be taking a mission trip or looking forward to some well-needed rest, but whatever your plans remember that it is our mission as followers of Jesus to testify to the light of the Gospel wherever we go. I pray that your summer is full of rest, ministry, and the light of Christ. Dios le bendiga!

Paul Coleman is the Student Minister at The Church at LifePark, which is a new campus plant of First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He has been with First Baptist as a Student Minister for eight years. Paul has spent time as a speaker for local FCA meetings and enjoys encouraging young FCA leaders to reach out on their campus. Most important Paul is a husband, father, and Clemson man. Lastly he wanted you to know that he doesn’t speak Spanish either! “Donde es el bano?” (Where is the rest room?) “Dios le bendiga.” (God Bless you.)  He was an active member of Clemson’s FCA and a student leader of that Huddle