You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. –Psalm 18:28 (NIV)

A Light in Dark Places

A large group huddled around the single lightbulb at the back of the room. A soft, whispered hymn rose from the edge of the gathering, and one by one, voices joined the quiet chorus. As the song faded, the sisters opened the Word of God. The small, worn Bible, miraculously smuggled through multiple checkpoints, was a source of life to the women in the barracks. Though gatherings like these were strictly forbidden, not a single guard came to break up the service. Even in the deepest darkness, light still found a way through. 

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom and her family risked their lives to hide Jewish people from persecution until their secret was discovered. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were arrested and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, a place of unimaginable suffering. 

Life in Ravensbrück

The conditions were abhorrent, yet the sisters clung to their faith and continued to minister to those around them. But they didn’t just share the Word—they allowed it to transform their hearts in spite of their circumstances. When they were transferred to Barrack 28, an overcrowded and dilapidated shelter, they were crammed into a bed meant for far fewer people. As they settled into their new reality, Betsie turned to 1 Thessalonians 5:14–18, reading aloud: “Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Lying in a bed infested with bugs, they did the unthinkable—they thanked God for it all, even the fleas.

Despite their suffering, the sisters poured out what little they had. A hidden vial of liquid vitamins helped sustain dozens of women, miraculously never running dry. Twice a day, they held worship services, somehow evading the ever-watchful eyes of the guards. Even in their frailty, they spoke of a future beyond the camp—of a place where survivors could heal and be restored. Though their bodies weakened, their faith grew stronger. 

Giving When You Lack

When life is comfortable, helping others feels easy and requires little sacrifice. But what about when life is hard? In our struggles, it’s easy to turn inward, to focus on our own pain, our own needs. We cry out to God, but our prayers often become more about what we lack than how we can serve. So how do we give when we feel we have nothing left?

The ten Boom sisters’ story gives us insight into the answer: they did not let their suffering define them. Rather than fixating on their hardships, they looked outward, seeing every challenge as an opportunity to minister. Instead of lamenting their overcrowded barracks, they saw it as a chance to share Christ with even more women. They didn’t just read the Bible—they let it transform their minds, shaping how they saw their situation. Time and again, they risked everything to protect the Bible they secretly carried on a string around their neck, knowing it was the key to reaching those in desperate need.

God's Word is a Light

Their story reminds us that serving others does not require abundance. It does not demand ideal circumstances. Often, people see Christ most clearly when we walk with them through grief, hardship, or loss. Even when we feel empty, we still have something to give—our prayers, our time, our presence. But one thing is never in short supply: the Word of God. It brings light to the darkest places, hope to the hopeless, and transformation to the hearts that receive it. Most importantly, it reveals the good news of Christ Jesus, who gave everything so we could be saved.

One day, Betsie discovered why the prison guards never inspected their barracks during the worship services. The guards, disgusted by the infestation, refused to step inside. The very thing that had nearly broken them—the fleas—became the thing that protected them as they shared Jesus with those in desperate need.

What does this mean for me?

Honestly consider your circumstances—are you in a place of joy or sorrow? Abundance or lack? How does the story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom challenge the way you see serving others, no matter where you find yourself? Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be the light of Christ to someone this week.

This article is part of the Let’s Go devotional, which is focused on fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission. Follow along with the devotional here.