How often do we see darkness as
evil and light as God. And yet, scripture would tell us, it ain’t always so.
There are times when the darkness we experience is actually good, a time of
rest and rejuvenation. Conversely, there are times when light is not God, but
scorching heat and even subtle pride.
Psalm 121:6 speaks to this time: The
sun shall not smite you in the day, nor the moon at night. These words
infer that light can be harmful at times, times when I put a lot of trust in
myself, my own reflections, my own inspirations, and forget that I am and
always will remain wounded. And that seems to be the problem.
I think we people of faith tend to
struggle between feeling unworthy and forgetting that I remain wounded no
matter how strong my faith. It is for me to strike a balance between the two.
First of all, I do not need to become "worthy" in God's eyes. I only
need to go forward in trust, a humble trust that remembers always, I am a
vulnerable being.
As Christians, we are often
taunted by the same words used against Christ and Jeremiah, "If he is
God's chosen one, surely God will save him." I bet some of us have even
spoken those words to ourselves. And yet, how wrong they are! I should replace
them with the words of psalm 23:4 Even if I walk in the dark valley I fear
no evil, for you are with me with your rod and staff, that give me courage.
This is the truth, that for a
believer, neither darkness nor light will harm. Because both have gifts to
offer, both have advantages, both bring grace, if I accept my vulnerability.
Enjoyed this. Have you read Barbara Brown Taylor's new book on darkness? She has the same theories as you. IT's not always bad.
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