The Darker the Night

By Gillis Killam –

The old adage: “The darker the night, the brighter the light” came to mind this week as I watched the television report of the Boston Bombing. In fact, the news most nights is full of murders, riots, protests, wars, and brutal acts being carried out before our eyes. People become very sad, fearful and hopeless; but those who know the Lord can shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation, by helping others to see the life Jesus calls us to.

The newspapers are filled with darkness. In “Listening to Your Life” Frederick Buechner wrote , “…if darkness is meant to suggest a world where nobody can see very well – either themselves, or each other…if darkness is meant to convey a sense of uncertainty, of being lost, of being afraid…Darkness is what our newspapers are about. Darkness is what our best contemporary literature is about.”

If this is true, and it is; then we have a great responsibility and opportunity to become lights in the gloom around us. Jesus identified the reason for the darkness when he said, “people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19 NIV).

He also said “You are the light of the world”(Matthew 5:14 NIV); so we must not fret about the darkness, but let the light of the Gospel shine through us bringing light to this darkened world.
When we confess our sins we bring light into the world; when we do acts of love to our neighbors, our families and even to our enemies; we bring light into the world. When we follow Jesus we will never walk in darkness.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).