Have you ever been lost in the dark? As a teen, a friend and I went cross-country skiing one cold afternoon. Single digits aren’t a problem for Minnesota kids, so we had a great time bushwacking through the frozen slough. We realized too late it would be dark before we got back, and the temp was dropping. We thought we could just follow the frozen creek back, but because of all the twists and turns of the creek, we weren’t sure if we were heading to the car or away from it. After turning around, we lost our tracks. Now it was pitch black, very cold, and we had no idea which way to go. We weren’t prepared, and we knew this is how people die. I remember the feeling of dread from being cold, hungry, and lost, with no way to change it.

 

This describes so many young people we know. They’re lost with no way to change it. There’s an epidemic of anxiety and hopelessness, and many are succumbing to it… After trudging blindly in the dark, the clouds broke, and we could see the moon. That light meant all the difference in the world. We figured out our direction… we were going the wrong way. That single point of light got us out of danger by giving us certainty, direction, and hope. It was a long slog back to the car, but we knew we’d make it.

 

Isaiah 9:2 comes alive to me after that! It says: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Christmas is here! The ‘great light’ was born and saved the world! Will you join 71Five in bringing the “light of the world” to those who live in the shadow of death? Will you go above and beyond with a special year-end gift? The year-end matching gift will double every dollar given above and beyond. Your gifts answer the anxiety and hopelessness with certainty, direction, and hope!