Shining His Light

Rebel Light by Marilyn Turk is a charming Christian historical novel and the first book in the Coastal Lights Legacy which promises to be fantastic.

The setting is 1861 in the American south. It is a time of turmoil as the American Civil War begins. There is a question of trust as neighbours and friends choose sides.

God loves all His children and He can be trusted. He commands us to love our enemies and to pray for them. Within minds, the enemy builds up to be monsters. “So this is what the enemy looks like. She had not expected him to appear so normal.” The enemy is just the same as you and me.

A uniform and rank should mean trust. But clothes do not make a man. There are some unscrupulous men within the book.

Likewise going to church does not make people Christian. A heart change and a life surrendered to God are the hallmarks of a Christian.

God does not want us to be slaves. He wants all men to be free. Within the novel there are those who believe this and there are those do not. The free men who reside with great aunt Sally are treated with love and care. There is an unbreakable bond between all members of the household.

We need God’s light to shine in our hearts. The extinguishing of the light in the lighthouse is symbolic of the dark period in American history as the civil war begins.

God’s Word unites us. “A sense of family knit the odd group together as they shared God’s Word.” We need to fill our hearts with His truth. When God speaks we need to have hearts and ears in tune with His. “If He say do somethin’, you just go ahead and does it.”

The richest people are those with God in their hearts. “He had lost what little he had, yet he still found reason to be happy.”

I loved Rebel Light. It was a perfectly delightful read with warm, realistic characters who put God at the centre of their lives.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON