Pack Your Flashlight

These days when going on a trip, along with the usual things you toss in a suitcase, Ruth and I always -- yes, always -- throw in a flashlight. If you pull out our luggage from under the stairwell right now there is a good chance one is already in the suitcase. We learned this lesson the hard way. A few years ago on a warm night in Honolulu we went back to our hotel after a day of fun. In the room, some eight stories up, we began to get ready for bed when all the lights went out. We tried to call the front desk but the phone was not working. Nothing. We made our way to the hall but saw no one. It was quiet and dark, very dark. We thought we had better get out of the building if we could. So we headed for an exit door, knowing the elevators were not working either. As you can imagine the stairwell was pitch black. Instinctively I tried the door to reenter the hallway but it was locked. We were in the stairwell, like it or not, and we could either stay there or feel our way down to the lower floors. I was apprehensive. If smoke came up the stairwell we were trapped.

We moved slowly down the stairs, trying the door on each floor but all were locked. No smoke, no sounds except when we spoke. Finally, on the second floor, the door opened and we moved out into the cool night air. We were at the second floor entrance to the hotel garage. And we could see a little because of the lights shining on the street below. We were really relieved and we made our way quickly down the car ramp and out to the front of the hotel, where we saw many other people milling around. There was no fire, no smoke. No one seemed to know what was going on. We decided to get something to drink and went to a small store around the corner. That was also where we bought the red flashlight.

We are thankful that the incident passed without any problems. There was a problem in the electrical system at the hotel and service men were able to restore our lights, and the telephones, in short order. Having something on hand to show you the way in the dark is a good thing, a wise thing. This same principal is true of our faith. The psalmist (27:1) writes,

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

The Lord is our abiding light and we can depend on God to help us in times of stress and trouble. But if we are to draw on his power and help, we must stay connected with him all the time. The Lord is our heart is our flashlight in our suitcase. With him we will be able to make it to safety. We will not have to be filled with fear.

Jerry Mercer