Living in Darkness?
By Rev. Sandra Caldwell Williams, (Union Presbyterian Seminary, M.Div., M.A.C.E. ’07)
“Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:7-11 NIV)
Far too often the local and national newscasts open with a tragic shooting at a school, in an entertainment venue, a club, a mall, and the list goes on and on. Hatred appeared to run rampant in the streets of US cities, large and small in 2019. Places where families at one time felt safe now causes pause for many. Schools, normally a safe space for students and teachers, must now consider restrictions on building entry, and many have random searches of book bags, lunchboxes, purses and lockers. Houses of prayer and worship (sanctuaries), which have been places of peace and love are also being attacked by individuals who are still in darkness. The Scripture in 1 John 2 pushes us to assess our actions toward our brothers and sisters using love as the measuring stick for our assessment.
As the people of God, we are called to walk in the light, however, it appears that darkness is overwhelming the thoughts and actions of many in these United States and in other parts of the world. The question I pose for the people of God is, “Where are you?” If darkness is seemingly pervasive to the point it is the international, national, and local norm and news in America, where is the light? Have we, who claim to be the children of the light, become disgruntled with the circumstances and yet people that are seemingly in power often appear to operate in darkness, rather than light? Have we, the children of the light, forgotten what our earthly work assignment must be? As the children of the light, we must not sit back on our laurels, rather we must work to affirm the power of the light that shines within our lives.
Overcoming darkness was not a task that we dismantled and walked out of on our own. We walked out of darkness because of the shining light of Jesus Christ, and it is that same light that will help us overcome the wretchedness that overshadows so many in the world today. Hatred, strife, mistrust, bias, racism, and sexism will begin to crumble and can be eradicated when affirming and walking in the light. Superiority complexes that demean others can be uprooted and transformed to a spirit of humility, love, compassion and understanding. Rather than doors being intentionally slammed and locked in the faces of the “least of these”, the key of love will perpetually open up opportunity for success in every area of life for all who have a passion and desire to grow and flourish beyond imposed restrictions (either self-imposed, culturally imposed, racially imposed, economically imposed, et.al).
As children of the light, we must affirm that we are free from the power of darkness! We are not prisoners of the darkness, and therefore, darkness cannot overwhelm, overtake, or destroy us on the pathway to accomplishing the tasks that were assigned by the Almighty. Let us not live in darkness, let us not allow darkness to overshadow our actions, thoughts and relationships; and at every opportunity, let us seek to be a light that shines with a helping hand to assist some brother or sister who is still stumbling in darkness. Amen!
