Tina Mann comments on cockroaches and Jesus

Tina Mann

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night suddenly without a reason? You didn't have a bad dream, you are not in pain or hungry but somehow you are awake. Frustrating yes but these are opportunities, God has our attention. Whenever I wake up in the night (whatever way he uses to wake me), I try and always ask God to speak to me as I believe he wants to reveal his mysteries to his children. It seems during the night we are less inclined to be busy or distracted and are still enough to listen.

So a few weeks back I had the amazing opportunity to go to New Zealand. I remember waking up suddenly one night to nothing in particular and after minutes of trying to fall back to sleep I then remembered (it takes time when you are sleepy!) to ask God if he had anything to reveal. I turned the light on and to my horror there was a big cockroach on the wall opposite me!! Ugh!! I don't know why but I just sat and watched it. It didn't move very fast but it did begin to head for the gap between the wall and the door. It was headed to where there was no light and could not be seen. This simple experience kick started teaching me about light and dark. How there are things I am unaware of, hidden in my life that Jesus wants to bring to light and also how things of the darkness hate the light and scurry into the dark. This is what God revealed:

Jesus highlights things in our lives that we can be unaware of, whether that be a bad attitude, a judgement or a dodgy motive, Jesus knows! It's like a searchlight to expose and deal with things that could harm us and our closeness with him. Remember he is pure love and doesn't shine on us to find fault and accuse but he wants to heal, deliver and bring the children he so dearly loves into closer union with himself.

I also felt that we are to be his light bearers and we only shine our brightest when in the dark. We are not to be afraid of the dark but head for the areas where there is no light, to be Jesus to the world around us. We don't have to be afraid of dark circumstances and situations that life can sometimes throw at us for Jesus promises to be with us through these times and be our guide as we keep our eyes fixed on him. Sometimes we want it light all the time, 'Get me out!!' but God is faithful and will bring us through if we keep on walking.

So the next time you find yourself awake in the middle of the night and you don't know why, ask God what he wants to reveal because he is just waiting for you to ask!