February 5, 2009

On the Journey

                            Spiritual Lessons Encountered in the Dark

              We have faced many challenges during the recent ice storm. With the loss of power, we have found creative ways to stay warm—gas logs, fireplaces, gas stoves, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, and generators running our furnaces. We have searched all over town and waited in long lines for gasoline and kerosene for cars, heaters, and generators.

               Cooking became a challenge. We cooked on gas stoves, camp stoves, gas grills, charcoal grills, fireplaces, and fire pits. For the most part, if we could cook, we ate well. With food in our freezers thawing, we feasted like kings on the best meats we had stored away for another day. When friends ran low, we graciously shared what we had rather than lose good meat. The great outdoors served as a great refrigerator for milk, butter, and other essentials.

              Communication posed the most difficult challenge. Landlines were down. Except for one provider, cell phone service was non-existent. We could not communicate with one another, and our families, in different parts of the country, could not get in touch with us. Yet, we would not be denied, so we trudged across the frozen tundra to check on one another. We shared our stuff and our misery.

              In the past week, I have been many places where people were cold. Yet, in every situation, they had found a way to cope and survive. The adaptability of the human spirit is amazing.

              As I have spoken with many folks, it appears that the darkness has been the most difficult challenge to confront. From about six o’clock in the evening until dawn of the following day, we have sat around in the dark. We pushed the darkness back a little with flashlights, candles, and lanterns. Despite our best efforts, we could not escape the shroud of darkness.

              To pass the time in the shadows of darkness, we had long conversations, told stories, and played games. There wasn’t much else to do, for we could not escape the night.

              Living in the darkness without power, our homes slowly grew in disarray. Blankets to keep us warm thrown about. Papers piled up. The mail piled up.You couldn’t run the dishwasher, and if you had no hot water or way of heating hot water, dishes piled up in the sink and on the kitchen counter. With the vacuum cleaner silent, a trail of crumbs led from the kitchen to wherever we ate to be near something warm. Our orderly lives became disorderly.

              Beyond the challenges of living in the darkness, the long night brought confusion. It was hard to keep our bearings. The darkness intensified our feelings of loneliness and even depression. Sometimes, in the dark, we couldn’t hold back the tears, and they came streaming down our faces. Like children who see monsters in their darkened rooms at bedtime, our fears intensified during the long nights.

              As I have reflected on our struggle with the long nights, I have recalled the words of Jesus: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”[John 12:46] He also said, “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Those who walk in the dark do not know where they are going. Put your trust in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” [John 12:35b-36] In the gospel of John and in the letters of John, we find light and darkness central to the apostle’s interpretation of the gospel message. Jesus was the light shining into the world, and the darkness cannot extinguish his light

              Walking in the light, we discover life. John says we discover life abundant and full. This life brings joy and peace. The light shatters our fears and comforts us with the presence of Christ himself. With the light of Christ, we walk through the world without stumbling and falling.

              John recognizes the power of spiritual darkness. In this darkness, we lose our way. The decisions we make in the darkness fill our lives with anguish. When we fall, our injuries are significant. Our daily lives are stalked by confusion, fear, anger, and depression.

              In recent days, from a spiritual perspective, the words of an old hymn have become more compelling for me, “Come to the light, ‘tis shining for thee; Sweetly the light has dawned upon me. Once I was blind, but now I can see: The Light of the world is Jesus!”

              In the coming days, we will redeem this time lost to the storm. As we move forward, let’s not forget the spiritual lessons we may have encountered. If spiritually we are dwelling in the land of darkness, let us come to the light of Jesus. If we know folks living in spiritual darkness, let’s invite them to walk in the light of Christ with us. Let this be a year of jubilee—a time for new beginnings!jamie