The Light Always Shines In The Middle Of The Night
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5
At the time of writing these words, it is 6:08am on Wednesday 3rd September 2025.
I woke around 3 hours earlier, in the middle of the night.
Do you sometimes wake up for some “unknown” reason in the middle of the night?
Do you sometimes find yourself struggling to get back to sleep, no matter how tired you are?
Do you find that your mind can start racing, when all you want to do is get back to sleep?
Do you sometimes find yourself worrying about the day ahead, and feeling frustrated about things in the past?
After I woke earlier, I started to think about how I used to really struggle getting back to sleep when I woke in the middle of the night.
I started to think deeply about my close family members, and what they will currently be going through in their mind when they wake up in the middle of the night.
I was thinking about all the people across the earth, potentially you, who sometimes wake in the middle of the night and then struggle to get back to sleep.
As I was thinking on these things, God asked me to write a poem, about what I used to experience in the middle of the night.
Here is the poem I have written.
Do share this on with anyone you love who may come upon your heart.
This poem could be just what they need to read tonight. They could be going through the dark night of the soul.
Middle of the Night
A poem by Paul Rouke, disciple of Jesus
“No not again” you think after suddenly waking up.
You’re determined to get straight back to sleep…
but now your mind has started wandering.
You start thinking about your day ahead.
You start thinking about yesterday.
You start thinking about your future.
You start thinking about your past.
One thought after another, they keep on coming.
One thought after another, they keep on coming.
You know you really need your sleep…
yet you are feeling more and more awake.
The harder you try, the harder it becomes.
The harder it becomes, the more your frustration builds.
You start noticing your breathing.
It sounds louder than normal.
You start hearing the wind outside.
It’s like it’s reflecting the swirling in your mind.
You turn on your side, more determined to go to sleep.
Minutes later, you turn on your other side.
You look at the time, realising how long you’ve been awake.
Over an hour has passed, lying there wide awake.
“Why does this keep happening?” you say to yourself.
“Why can I not just get back to sleep?” you plead.
Your mind is still racing, one thought then another.
One thought after another, your mind is still racing.
The harder you try, the more awake you become.
The more awake you become, the harder you try.
You start feeling helpless in getting back to sleep.
Helplessness feeds frustration, frustration feeds helplessness.
You feel all alone, with no one else to help you.
But then, suddenly, the veil is lifted.
Your heart is opened.
Your mind is opened.
You suddenly are given eyes to see.
You suddenly are given ears to hear.
You’re not helpless.
You’re not hopeless.
You suddenly realise you’re not alone.
You suddenly realise you’ve never been alone.
You start to talk to Him.
You know He is listening.
You smile, knowing that He loves you.
Yes, you smile, knowing that He loves you.
You start to listen to Him.
His gentle words bring you comfort.
You start to feel His perfect peace.
You hear Him say to you “Peace, Be Still.”
You no longer have thoughts racing through your mind.
“I love you, I have chosen you,” He says to you.
“You are My masterpiece, My prized possession…”
His words continue to immerse your whole being.
“My thoughts for you outnumber the grains of sand.”
You continue having more revelation about His love.
Peace which surpasses all understanding consumes you, as you say
“Thank You Jesus for saving my life.”
You close your eyes and drift off to sleep.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Psalm 34:18
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
Isaiah 61:1
