Complete darkness is rare. If you go outside at night there are outside lights on, or the stars are shining. Living outside of town, you see the glow of the lights from town in the sky. Inside, is the same. Even with all the lights off, you have the glow from digital clocks, electronic devices, etc. But there are occasions when it is really dark. More than once I thought I could get from the bedroom to the kitchen without turning a light on – only to run into something. Truth is I was going from memory not sight.
I love light. So much more can be accomplished in the light. It’s wonderful, to simply flip a switch, the light comes on and you can see. We have camped over the years. One of the essentials in our camping gear is the ability to have light once it gets dark. Because light is so readily accessible we think all of life, including our spiritual lives, should work like our home. Just flip the right switch, be sure you pay your power bill, and you will have light. But sometimes there is no switch to flip when it comes to the light of God’s guidance. There are no “bills” to pay in order to curry God’s favor.
In short, there are times “when darkness reigns.” There are times we don’t know where to go, where we are, or what we are to do next!. There are times when the darkness extends to the silence of God. We are lost in the dark and we are not getting any clear direction from God.
I know, some will protest, God always wants His will known. He always speaks to His children. My response to these ideas is – “eventually”. The title of this entry is a quote from Jesus. Jesus was about to be arrested. His response is “This is your hour, when darkness reigns.” Even Jesus went through a time when “darkness reigned”. He went through a time where He did not like what was happening to him. Of greater significance is that He, the Son of God, went through a time where His Father was silent. Remember His words on the cross, “my God my God why have you forsaken me?” In these moments Jesus was in the dark – but He kept walking, kept doing the last thing His Father told Him to do – until the lights came on again (the resurrection).
We will face dark times. The dark is the time for predators. It is a time when we are under attack and we don’t understand. It is a time when things – everything seems to be going wrong. It is a time when we don’t know what to do next. And the most frustrating of all, God seems to be silent.
I don’t like the darkness, but I have been there more than once. It can last anywhere from moments to weeks. What do we do? What do we do when we are in the dark about a job, problem relationships, the next step to take in our lives, deteriorating health, or the unknown for someone close to us?
Take a page from the life of Jesus. Keep moving in the direction God led you before the lights went out. Keep believing God is there. Hold on to the words of the Psalmist “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” Keeping praying, and wait – wait for the dawn. It will come, as sure as the resurrection.
I know. I have been in the dark, more than I sometimes would like. Sadly, the place of darkness has been my own fault on occasion. Darkness has also come to my life on it’s own terms – often at the worst possible time. Leaders don’t like to admit “darkness reigns.” People are looking for direction, and it is not God’s timing yet. I’m operating in the dark. So, I smile and they have to wait – until God turns the light on.
The time when darkness reigns is a dangerous time. The predator of our soul seeks to take full advantage of such times. It is a time we can easily go the wrong way. But it is also a time God can use to solidify our faith in Him. To be blunt, it is easy to follow the Lord in faith when His leading is clear. When He is silent our trust is tested. While I still don’t like the “darkness reigns” periods of my life, I must acknowledge His voice and direction are all the sweeter when the light goes back on. Even in the darkness of the valley He is still there. In the darkness I learn in real life terms to live by faith and not by sight.
So, if you are going through one of the times “when darkness reigns”, keep moving and know the light is coming.
Letting my eyes adjust to the darkness,
JT
