Darkness or the Absence of Light
“Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” ~ John 12:35-36 NIV
As often is the case, I will get up in the middle of the night and make my way into my office in hopes that I will find some way to fall asleep on my chair or couch. Or in hopes that something on late, late, late night TV will somehow relax me and bore me to sleep.
Usually, at the time I make my move from nice comfy bed to big ole beat up couch or chair, the house is dark. So dark that it is difficult for me to see even my hand in front of my face. As I begin the all too familiar journey to first check the house then to my office, my eyes scan the path for an inkling of light to focus in on... an alarm system light... the cable box power light... an illuminating clock on the oven... a street light from outside
In the middle of a dark night, those little inklings of light illuminate my way and make my path clear.
In today’s passage, Jesus reminds His followers that he will be with them for just a little longer. To walk with Him (the Light) while they still have Him, before darkness comes. And to become children of the light by believing in the light while they still have Him and can see and learn from Him.
In other words, Jesus had been predicting His impending death. He wanted His followers to know Him and believe in Him, and walk with Him because when that moment ultimately would come, darkness would try to overwhelm them. But if they (we) are children of the light, then we will shine in that darkness. Shine with a light that cannot be extinguished.
And it’s as if He is calling them (us) to not only shine, but shine as He shines so that a dark world will see the light and follow... will see the light and want to have it in their lives too.
And today, He is charging us with the same mission, to shine like a city on a hill. To shine for all the world to see. To shine through deed and action. To shine through faith in Jesus Christ and putting that faith to work.
The world around us is often a dark, dark place. But darkness is merely the absence of light. Light can not be extinguished by darkness. Shine bright for all the world to see... for even the smallest light shines bright in the darkness.
Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem.
