A Light in the Darkness
My daughter and I were talking about the explosions that struck Beirut on August 4th, killing 154 people, wounding over 5,000, with 120 still in critical condition on Friday. 300,000+ are now homeless. Lebanon’s president, Michel Aoun, said that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate caused the explosions. The Port of Beirut was destroyed. Windows were blown out two miles from the explosion. Losses are estimated to be $10-$15 billion.
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Our hearts go out to the precious people of Lebonan who suffered the loss of their homes, suffered physically and are mourning the loss of loved ones. As awful as the devastation was — a video and photos covered social media and the airways of the beautiful Lebanese bride, Dr. Israa Seblani, who was smiling and posing in her long white gown and veil when the scene was shattered by the horrific roar and shockwave.
I watched the video with certain angst of her being photo’d and video-graphed because the report had already come to us about the blasts. The interruption was shocking, yet I saw a “light in the darkness” as she was interviewed. Seblani, a doctor who works in the U.S., said later, “There are no words to explain. I was shocked and wondered what happened, am I going to die?”
According to Reuters, she attended to several wounded people in the area before ultimately seeking safety for herself. [On a personal note, I’m thinking that those she attended to must have thought, in her white array of beauty, that she was an angel.] Reuter’s captured her words: “The one thing I said was ‘Praise be to God, we’re still alive. I thank God for protecting us. I was so sad for what happened to people – what happened to Lebonan. God have mercy on those who were killed and the wounded. Also, I want to look at us, myself, my husband, and the photographer there with us – how we escaped unharmed. I thank God for protecting us. This makes me feel always optimistic and say thank God and keep the joy.”
We pray for the beautiful people of Lebonan and all who have suffered. Still, there is always a light that brings hope in the darkest times and darkest hours. It is reassuring for us in our great country — in the midst of difficulty, of tragedy, of discomfort, of pain, of insecurity, of loss, if we keep our eyes and ears open (and don’t listen to the naysayers, the doubters, the doomsday-plot-givers, the sky-is-falling chickens), we will always find those who are bright lights in the darkness. Oh, how I want to be like that bride who shines so brightly in the darkest hours.
As I embraced this story, I thought about this scripture: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear” (Rev 19:7-8) As the members of Christ’s Church, we are encouraged to be faithful and be ready, waiting with anticipation for the glorious day when we will be united with Jesus and live in harmony with Him as His beloved bride. That makes me want to live praising Him, as did this Lebanese bride – giving Him the honor, the glory and the praise in the dark and in the light-bright days of our lives.