Our Light in Darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness hasn’t overcome it”

John 1:5

When I toured Crystal Cave the guide began the tour by asking us to put our hands in front of our faces. Then he turned out the lights. Not only could we not see our hands but it was a stark realization of the totality of darkness. Turning the lights on brought me a sense of relief and return to the natural world.

It seems to me that we are in one of the darkest times of our history. The darkness is the Covid-19 pandemic, increased violence in the streets, political unrest, unemployment resulting from the pandemic, increased demands on food pantries, masks, and social distancing.

I feel there is also a great darkness of mind. It's a darkness choosing one view without considering the merits of an opposing view or not being able to comprehend it. Can you really comprehend Black Lives Matter without living a Black life experience?

God's light of creation brings Order from Chaos. Genesis says God created the heavens and the earth and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God separated the light from the darkness.

God's light brings order into the chaos of our lives. In John 1:5 above, "shines” is a present tense verb meaning it is ongoing, therefore, the light shining while Jesus walked the earth still shines today. God's light was not extinguished by darkness at the cross.

God's promise says God's light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not overcome it. Because the light comes from God and is of God—God will not be defeated. 

Read John's conviction again: “The light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness hasn’t overcome it”