Light Over Darkness

Growing up in Colorado I used to go camping in the mountains. On many occasions we found ourselves sleeping under the stars. There are not so many examples of God’s beauty than the night sky when you are away from the city lights. It is most special during the New Moon when the only light you can see comes from the myriad stars above. It didn’t matter if we weren’t inside a tent with protection from animals. The peace of the night sky lit by the stars lulled us to sleep many nights.

Brethren, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2^nd Corinthians 4.6-15

Saint Paul opens today’s lesson with a reminder of why I used to sleep so peacefully. The light above my sleeping bag was provided by God, not the electric company. It didn’t’ matter how dark it was those nights; the stars led the way to God. Save but a few streaks of light from airplanes or satellites, I was surrounded by God’s glory.

The morning came soon enough, and we were off with our backpacks for another hike and grueling hours of nonstop discovery. Crossing streams and climbing mountains, our bodies were always pushed to the limit, only to find another night of peace under the stars.

I learned a lot about myself in those years. I learned that I was always able to go ‘just a bit more’ to reach my goal. I learned that nothing feels quite as good as conquering a mountain. I learned that I was capable of much more than I ever imagined.

I’ve been able to use that knowledge I learned about myself for my spiritual journey, not just hiking in the mountains. It what Saint Paul wants us to know about our relationship with God. We will be afflicted but it won’t crush us, just as I stumbled along the rocks but was able to finish the climb. It won’t matter what life throws at us, God is with us and will help us get back on our feet for His glory.

God is the Light that shines over the darkness in our world. I live in the city now and rarely see as many stars as I once did. The light God provides through the stars is often overshadowed by technology and city lights. The funny thing is, no matter how much light the city provides, I still had more peace sleeping under the stars.

City lights may break up the darkness, but they cannot bring peace. City lights might illuminate the sidewalk, but they also provide shadows for prowlers to lurk. Only the Light of Christ can conquer the darkness of the world.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1.5

Living a life in Christ doesn’t mean that we win a free pass away from struggle. It means that God has our back during our struggle. When we encounter the darkness of the world, (and I’m not talking about the night sky) remember the Light of Christ defeated the darkness to give us “the knowledge of the glory of God.” That knowledge is the source of peace, even greater than the night sky filled with stars.