Used with permission. The following was written by Amelia Cleveland-Traylor, Co-Superintendent of the Free Methodist Church River Conference, as part of the River Conference newsletter.
There have been a couple of times in my life I have been in extreme darkness.
In 1992, my husband and I were a part of tour group that hiked through some caves in Colorado. It was fascinating to imagine early settlers and explorers making their way through the caves. To demonstrate the enormity of explorers’ tasks, the tour guide decided to turn off the lights in the caves. The group stood in total darkness. It was amazing. No matter how long we stood there, we could not see our hands. I’ve often wondered how they made it through.
In 2004, my husband and I were short term missionaries to Malawi. One evening, we were awakened in the middle of the night. A pastor’s father had become ill and he needed help. Outside of the cabin, there was no light except that provided by the stars. There were no streetlights. No stoplights. No road signs. No property lights. When we left the safety of the camp, we were completely disoriented and unsettled. How would we ever get where we going when we could not see? Would we be able to return to safety?
These are examples of physical darkness that could be troublesome. Yet, there is a darkness of the soul that is much more dangerous. This often comes as the result of pain, loss, betrayal, or tragedy. During these times, it is hard to remember anything good. Pleasure has less meaning and there is a desire to feel less. The future appears dim.
In this world, there are many sources of darkness:
- Coronavirus pandemic
- Gun violence
- Hate crimes (alternative lifestyles and religious persecution)
- Anger
- Racism, sexism, xenophobia
- Political divisions
- Poverty (hunger, homelessness, joblessness, limited education)
- War
- Rampant Fear
The human body is designed to do something called accommodation. Because of accommodation, the body naturally adapts to the circumstances prevalent in any given moment. This explains why a noxious odor becomes less offensive with time. This is also why one can begin to see once the eyes have adjusted to darkness or bright lights. As a result of accommodation, it is absolutely possible to live in darkness and become unaware of the darkness!
Are we there now?
American politics are very polarized. Those who share our views are considered good while those who oppose our views are evil. We formulate strong opinions based upon limited information. We have little tolerance for honest discourse and we often stand confident that our positions and perspectives are right. Others are, therefore, wrong. These widely held positions are prideful and dangerous because we lose the opportunity to reach anyone on the “dark side” as long as he/she is viewed as evil or an enemy. There is a so much darkness around us. There are so many are without hope.
In John 8:12, Jesus said
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:14-16), Jesus said
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
We, as disciples of Christ, are challenged to carry the light that Christ has deposited in us to all in the world. We simply cannot afford to withhold the light or avoid the dark. Too many are dying to see Jesus. Let us allow our lights to shine before all so that they are able to see Christ for themselves.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Ps 112:4
Be the light!
