Chapter 4- The Verdict

Author’s note: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12

This verse rings out to me as I sit here writing this chapter today. I pray the words in this blog will be more than a story to you, but that the words bring you life and light. Please enjoy chapter four of I Dwell in Darkness.

Shiloh took a breath in and let it out again. She glanced up at the airplane ceiling and then shut her eyes. When she did, all she could see were the images of last night’s nightmare. The dreams were starting to happen more frequently, and Shiloh was sure she was going to have to go back to counseling for them.

Shiloh opened her eyes and turned her head toward Jayda. Jayda was peacefully sleeping, which put a smile on Shiloh’s face. Shiloh only wished that Jayda could be that happy and peaceful all the time. If only Jayda would let people help her! Jayda always wanted to fight alone. She acted as if she had the need to prove to the world that she could handle life all on her own.

How dangerous Shiloh knew this way of thinking to be! Shiloh knew these thoughts were lies from the Enemy, but Shiloh could not tell Jayda this. Jayda no longer believed in God or had anything to do with Him. How Shiloh wished Jayda would at least go to counseling for help.

At that moment, a flight attendant rolled her little cart down the aisle and stopped right beside Shiloh.

“Are you enjoying your flight, Miss?” the flight attendant asked with a smile.

“I am. Thank you,” Shiloh responded with a small smile.

At that moment, Jayda squeezed Shiloh’s hand twice, which meant she was awake and wanted something to drink.

“What can I get you then?” the flight attendant asked.

“Two waters, please,” Shiloh answered.

“Alright, one for your friend too?” the flight attendant asked as if to clarify who the extra water was for.

Shiloh swallowed and glanced over at her friend. If Jayda was awake, she was doing a great job at faking it.

Shiloh turned back toward the lady and simply said, “Yes.”

“Here you are!” The lady handed Shiloh both of the waters and Shiloh placed both of them on the tray. The lady also handed her two packets of pretzels; with that the lady was gone talking to the next row of people.

“Jayda,” Shiloh whispered, “she is gone now.”

Jayda opened her eyes and took her earbuds of of her ears. Shiloh handed her water to her, and Jayda took a sip. “Thank you,” Jayda whispered.

Shiloh nodded and once again wished she had the right words to say.

Jayda turned away and Shiloh returned her eyes once again to the ceiling. When she did, a Bible verse shot through Shiloh like electricity.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

Shiloh sat straight up and knew that verse was the answer. The answer to why Jayda chose to dwell in darkness and why Jayda seemed to hate the light: Jayda hated more than just the light of the sun or the light of lightbulbs. Jayda hated the true Light of the world, the true Light no one would ever be able to ignore.

Jayda was devoted to sharing with the world why they should love the darkness better than the light. Jayda had given and was going to give her whole career to darkness, and soon enough Jayda was going to be consumed by it, if she, Shiloh, didn’t do something about it.

Shiloh looked over at her friend and felt immense compassion for her. How Shiloh wished she could figure out the right thing to say. “Please help me, Lord. Please help me to know the right thing to say and when.”

Shiloh looked back up at the ceiling and closed her eyes.

To be continued…(John 8:12)