LIGHT

by Cheri Roland

"… and the Word was the light of men." The magnificent first paragraph of John has been circulating in my head over the past three months. I have indeed been in a very dark place, but the concept of light has been a constant under current. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it; "light a candle and curse the darkness"; "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" At one point I even wondered why I was being bombarded with all these references to light.

Monday has to be my worst day yet. But during one of the pastoral visits with two of our amazing women students, Dumisile mentioned the concept of light. She suggested that I visualize Jesus as a light inside my soul. That image really spoke to me; I latched onto the light of Jesus casting out the darkness in my body. I have even given Him more mobility ,like Eva from WALL-E, one of the more current movies we have seen. It just seems appropriate that Jesus, my Healer, be able to zoom around inside my body. So this image has become my focus, and He is not only sustaining me, He is healing me.

This systemic allergic reaction has played havoc with my liver and skin. I must soak in the tub laced with olive oil at least twice a day. I have dedicated my baths to very specific visualization. I ask Jesus to travel with me throughout my body, kicking out the bad guys and strengthening the good. I figure since He made me, He knows best how to heal me.

My immediate goal is to be able to face up to my doctor's appointment in Durban on Monday. I've only been as far as the back yard in the past week, using this time to be still and know that He is in control. Liver ailments all require rest, and we have been so blessed by our staff's admonitions to "stay home", as well as the fortuitous break in the schedule.

So, the next time you find yourself in a dark place, try the image of Jesus, the Light of the World, as your personal Healer. He's quite clever at zooming and zapping.