A Light Shines in the Darkness

The Labor Day festivities have come and gone with some fanfare. The fall equinox waits patiently for us near the end of September. As summer comes to a close I find myself reflecting upon my own childhood adventures. One particular memory, which jumps out at me, is a game I used to play with some of my cousins along with my sister. The name of the game we played was called night tag. Obviously the name hints to the time in which the game could be played effectively but there were other rules as well. Night tag was an indoor game and not played outside (Much to the displeasure expressed by the adults). The participants in this game were confined to an area such as a mid-size to large room. The more furniture in the room the better as hiding places could be found in abundance. After the person who was selected to be “it” was picked a blindfold was placed around their eyes and the lights in the room were turned off. Not only was it dark but it was “good ‘n dark”. “It” started the count down, “One thousand one, one thousand two…”, as soon as the lights were turned off. This was the clue for others to find a hiding place and avoid the tagger. Upon the words “Ready or not” all who were playing knew the fun was ready to begin. Remember, not one person could see anything or anybody. If we could sense “it” was near us we would change locations in the room. Ultimately players were running into players as well as the furniture. Loud bangs and uncontrollable laughter could be heard throughout the house.


Darkness has a way of placing a shroud of uncertainty around us. Even a game as simple as hide-n-seek becomes more of a challenge when darkness is added to the game. Depth perception, direction, and balance are a few of the areas altered by such an obstacle as darkness. A person becomes timid in their approach as they hope to make their way to the desired destination. Uncertainty leads to doubt. Doubt allows a person to question the direction they are traveling in life. There may have been a time when a person has felt as though everything was moving in the right direction. The path being traveled is well lit. Then all of a sudden the lights are turned off. What seemed so clear has now become a blur. In the darkness fear also crawls deep into our soul. No longer can we make our own way. If only…


Imagine how much easier the game night tag would have been if each of the participants had a flashlight and the “it” was not blindfolded. No, it would not have been as much fun but definitely easier. In our own lives there have been moments when everything seemed so good, the direction was clear, and all of a sudden the lights go out. I met Joel Townsend when I attended the “Friends in Faith” Sunday school class at Covenant UMC. I always enjoyed talking to him. One day I received a phone call from a dear friend, Filip Raeckleboom, telling me Joel had died in a car wreck. Even though I was not as close to Joel as many others were the news was still life altering. Left behind were a wife, three young children, family members, and many friends. Darkness did not creep into the many lives affected by this moment but it leapt. How could this happen? What was God thinking? Lives were altered in many ways by darkness most notably in the area of faith. Maybe some people lost direction temporarily, maybe some turned from the church, or maybe some even turned away from God altogether. I am not really sure. If only there had been a light to guide them. I know the faith of Joel’s wife, Mara, has been a blessing to many people. She relied and still relies upon the light of God to get her through those moments when darkness tries to take over the light. How about you? When, not if, has your life been altered by the advent of darkness? Have you been able to make your way through it? There is good news. A light has been provided. Matthew 5:14 says “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” John 8:12 says Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." In the midst of darkness God has given us a light to help guide us through our daily lives. This light is present in both the joys and sorrows of life. We are never alone. This is a light which is eternal and can never be extinguished. There are going to be times when we loose direction or question God but know that the love of God is that light which guides us every moment of every day. How can we as individuals and a church reflect the light of God?

My True Love

As the sun fades away

My heart fears the hidden places deep within

Those found in the cold, dark night

My eyes grow weary, asleep I fall

I am apart from my true love

Morning soon breaks the grip of the night

My heart is awakened

Awakened by the warm kisses of the sunbeams upon my cheek

A new day is at hand

My heart leaps with joy

My true love is with me again

David Norrell

July 2010