GPBC Blog

In recent years, at least since 2020, I have on a weekly basis encountered someone or had a conversation in which a remark is made about how dark the world is becoming and how fast it is becoming darker. Recently it seems those encounters are almost daily. Often it is a conversation prompted by a news report about some tragedy occurring. Sometimes they are small and contained, but other times they are bigger, like famine, war, or other man-made disaster. Reactions to the news regularly includes dismay, fear, despair, a sense of hopelessness to change things, and that of course leads to anger or depression. There is a reason that anxiety and depression are the most often diagnosed mental health complaint, and Prozac is one of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications.

These are all expressions of our struggle to cope with or adapt to the challenges of living in a fallen world, and it all seems like a pretty reasonable reaction, doesn’t it? After all, whether we want to admit it or not (come on just ‘fess up) everyone has at one time or another been afraid of the dark or been overwhelmed by it. But what is it about the dark that makes it so frightening? (Is 8.21-22)

For one thing, the dark is confusing. When you cannot see anything or anyone there is a feeling of isolation, being alone, and disorientation. Finding our way proves to be difficult, because we can’t see the path we are walking. We might actually be fairly safe, but imagination runs wild, and we see the possibilities of danger that could surround us. We might even try to run (without seeing where we are going) when in reality there is no one chasing us. (Prov 28.1)

Every one of us has lived in the darkness at one point in our lives. We were unable to see or to believe in God or discern the truth. Unable to see the right path, we have all probably done things that we’d not want to admit. But as unpleasant as it is, most people choose to stay in the dark. They (we) think that it hides the things we don’t want others to see. (Jn 3.19)

The people walking in darkness don’t know that there is a path. But it doesn’t have to be that way. (Jn 8.12)

Those of us who have been chosen by Jesus to be His disciples know all of this, but sometimes we forget. We forget that no matter how overwhelming the darkness seems to become, it can be destroyed by one spark of light. When one light shines, the darkness is not complete. Pastor and author Henry Blackaby once wrote that, “If the darkness around you seems to be getting darker and darker, it is not the fault of the darkness. The darkness is just being itself.” The implication of course is that it only seems to be darker because there isn’t yet enough light. Jesus said that we are the light of the world, but we are not called to destroy the darkness, only to shine one light wherever we can so that others will see the hope shining through the despair, the joy that overcomes fear, the understanding that discerns the truth, and the path that is revealed by it. (1Thes 5.5)

This should be a huge encouragement to us all, that He doesn’t expect us to do it all. That is His job. We only need to shine one little spark in our corner of the darkness. One act of kindness is all it takes. Every week when I arrive at GPBC I am greeted by Stan Doud in the parking lot as he escorts Nancy and I to the door, which he holds open for us in welcome. An act of kindness. One spark that immediately reminds me that the darkness cannot win. What friend or acquaintance or stranger can you find to bless today? (Eph 5.8)