Recently, the Albion Fire Department was dispatched to a garage fire. When we arrived on scene, the chief and I donned our SCBA tanks and masks to make entry into the garage that was smoking but no fire was visible from outside. The garage door and walk doors were all closed and we made entry through one of the walk doors. As we entered, the heavy smoke in the room and the lack of any light made seeing impossible. We fumbled through the garage, trying to find the garage door release, while trying to find the source of the fire. Once the garage door was opened and the morning light began to penetrate the darkness and the smoke began to clear, we could see the fire source and start to put it out.
In our world today, there seems to be a lot of darkness and smoke. There is a lot of confusion, searching, and emptiness surrounding us. I regularly witness people speaking of a dark cloud that is over them or who talk about a sense of emptiness and darkness. Many of them are searching for meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Their search has taken them through a variety of self-help philosophies and different religions and their teachings, to no avail. The darkness and doom still exist in their lives and for far too many, they believe this is their plight in life: the person with the dark cloud following them.
At the beginning of the Gospel of John, the author states about Jesus, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5). Darkness has no power over light. Light penetrates through the darkness, bringing vision to the situation and this light gives life as it dispels the fears and evils that surround us. In the light we can see the source of our struggle and the areas of our lives where we may need to make changes.
Jesus goes on in the Gospel of John and states, “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’” (John 8:12). Jesus is the Light and in Him, we do not have to walk in darkness. The darkness of our present struggles, issues, and sin are defeated when we walk in the Light. John goes on in 1 John 1:7, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” As our light, Jesus not only makes it possible for us to be in relationship with Him. He also makes it possible for us to be in fellowship with one another.
As we continue in our Lenten Adventure, we need Jesus’ Light to illuminate the dark recesses of our hearts individually and corporately (as the Church, community, nation, and world). Without the Light of Jesus illuminating our lives, we fumble around trying to find the answers on our own. When the Light of Jesus shines, we can see our present situation with greater clarity and we can see the path in front of us. The Psalmist writes of God’s word, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). May we discover the Light of Jesus and God’s word that will illuminate our lives.
Prayer: Lord, I fumble around too often trying to find my own way. This brings defeat, darkness, and emptiness to my life. Forgive me for trying to do life on my own. Illuminate my life with your Light that I might continue to grow in fellowship with you and with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.