Over the Christmas season my church’s theme was “Jesus is the light of the World.” I’ve had some time to meditate on that idea these last few weeks, and what that means in my own life.
Light is obviously a big need on a practical level. Light helps us see the path clearly. It keeps us from stumbling over obstacles. It lets us function in our tasks as we see clearly what we are doing.
Light shines in the darkness and reveals things that may be hidden. Things that may need to be exposed.
Light is also comforting. We equate safety and security with light. During our Christmas Eve candlelight service I was struck with the level of heat my tiny flame gave off on my face. It brought warmth to me.
A favorite author of mine, Brandon Sanderson, has an excellent scene between to characters in one of his books. The hero Kaladin is facing immense trials both physically and mentally. He is literally surrounded in darkness and is given a very brief respite from this through his friend, Wit. In the midst of their exchange on philosophy and purpose they come to the end of their conversation. Kaladin realizes this means he will need to go back into the dark storm. They then have the following exchange.
Kaladin said. “You told me it will get worse.” “It will,” Wit said, “but then it will get better. Then it will get worse again. Then better. This is life, and I will not lie by saying every day will be sunshine. But there will be sunshine again, and that is a very different thing to say. That is truth. I promise you, Kaladin: You will be warm again.”
Now this is obviously from characters who do not have a Christian worldview, but it still manages to speak deeply to me all the same.
Jesus is our light, and that light is constant. However, there are times where it can feel as though the light is hidden. Moments or seasons where the darkness seems to be crowding in, and the cold cuts through you. And yet it for a season. It is not a stagnant thing, but a period of time that we go through as opposed to remain stuck in. When we recognize the darkness cannot hold out against the light we can come to a similar reminder. We will be warm again.
Yet what does it mean to navigate through those seasons? Through those moments where the darkness seems so strong, and we have trouble remembering what the sun feels like against our skin?
There is an old MercyMe song from my high school days that popped into my head today.
“Another rainy day
I can’t recall having sunshine on my face
All I feel is pain
All I want to do is walk out of this place
But when I am stuck and I can’t move
When I don’t know what I should do
When I wonder if I’ll ever make it through
I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
Your the one that’s keeping my heart beating
I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
That’s the only way that I’ll find healing”
Sometimes we need to sing in the darkness. We need to draw close to the light even when we can’t seem to see it, while all the time remembering the promise. We will be warm again.
And here is the really cool thing. There will come a day where we will always be in the presence of that true light. “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:5
There will come a day where we will be with our creator. A day where the sun is not needed because He will provide us with the safety, comfort, and warmth that comes with His light.
So we may have those patches now where the light seems hidden, but we do not need to despair. We can even be in peace as we hold firm on the promise that we will be warm again.
And that, as Gandalf might say, is a comforting thought.
Utterly Dependent 