Opinion
Shine a light to push back the darkness
As we approach the start of another year, during the darkest days of winter, Jane Walters encourages us to let our lights shine.
Doesn’t it make a difference to our view of the world when the days are short and the nights long? I’m writing this on a particularly dreary afternoon, the lights having been on for a while now; trying to soften the blow by drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top.
But, did you know that, scientifically, there is no such thing as darkness? However real and oppressive and even sinister it can feel, darkness is simply the absence of light. A humble match struck into the gloom pushes the darkness away – we can watch it retreat. Knowing the science doesn’t always help the emotions, though. Try telling a small child, whimpering with fear over monsters under the bed, that there’s no such thing as darkness. I can guarantee their reply won’t be: “Oh, thank you for explaining. I’m off to sleep now. Night, night”.
The only thing that is going to make the darkness disappear is the presence of light. If you’ve ever got up in the middle of the night, not wanting to switch the lights on and disturb everyone else, you’ll have noticed how bright the tiny little charging-light on an appliance is. In the daytime, you’d have forgotten it was even plugged in, so insignificant that light is when there is daylight all around.
Jesus called Himself the Light of the World. He came to take away not just the things we associate with darkness, like bad behaviour, illness and fear, but His presence makes the very dark itself disappear. Yet here’s the thing: He also called us the lights of the world.
If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the Sunday School song, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine”. Perhaps you’ve grown up, still thinking that your light is little, perhaps too little to be of use? But if you take your light and light someone else’s; and they, in turn, light someone else’s; then, before you know it, you’ve got a whole host of little lights together making a massive impact on the darkness.
Only today, two friends blessed me with a gift that shifted a dark space in my circumstances. When I thanked them, they replied, “We’re just passing the blessing on”.
You see? It’s as simple as that. Let your light shine.
Image by Lenora Cagle from Pixabay
Jane Walters, formerly Clamp, is the author of Too Soon, a mother’s journey through miscarriage (SPCK) and a regular contributor to Premier Radio and UCB. She is also vice-chair of the Association of Christian Writers. Jane leads creative writing retreats and is a popular speaker locally and further afield. Visit: janewyattwalters.com
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.