For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Ephesians 5:8)

Several years ago I spoke at men’s a retreat in a remote mountain camp. I checked in then walked the half mile from my cabin to the assembly hall. “Let’s take this short cut behind the lake,” my host said. We were chatting and I hardly paid attention to the route.

We ate dinner, I delivered my keynote, we had breakout groups, then I closed with a devotion. That’s when they broke out the snacks and settled in for games and conversation.

It was almost 10:00 and I was exhausted from the day’s travel. “I have to go over my notes for the morning,” I said. “So I’m heading to my cabin.”

There was a murmur of goodnights and I slipped out. I remembered to stay on the trail side of the lake, left the parking area and aimed for the track leading to the cabins.

Three minutes into what should have been a 15-minute stroll some sort of timer triggered, and all the outside lights went off. That included those marking the trail. When I say it was dark it was “can’t see my shoes” dark, “can’t see my hand in front of my face” dark. Cloudy, no moon. It was dark dark. My phone was in my room.

I wasn’t sure I was even on the correct path.

So I shuffled, moving my hands in front of my face in case I left the trail, which I did, frequently. I’d already turned a corner so going back was no better. The 15-minute walk took me more than an hour.

Just a point of light, a reference, was all I would have needed.

This church, Howard Memorial Presbyterian, has been a point of light in Tarboro for 150 years. Sunday, May 5 we will dedicate a new carillon to the glory of God. It will also be another reference point for Tarboro, another point of light for people who need to find their way home.

Don’t miss it. May 5 is going to be a great day! - Derek