Light and Dark is a theme among politicians these days. It touches us, because our world seems to be sliding toward darkness and we are starving for a glimpse — a hope — of light.
In Genesis we read, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. Genesis 1:1-2 New English Translation
Darkness was over everything. Like today. But God was over the darkness. Also like today.
Then, God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! God saw that the light was good, so God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day. Genesis 1:3-5 New English Translation
God renamed and repurposed dark, redefining it as part of “good.”
But that’s not the end of the story. And that’s not what the politicians are talking about. Because two chapters later, our first parents chose to invite darkness in — and thus into each of their children. Us. And the struggle began.
As the Apostle Paul says, I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. Romans 7:18-20 The Message
Me, too.
So what can we do about the darkness in ourselves and our world? We make laws and fixes, but, like Paul, we find, I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? Romans 7:24 The Message
But then, The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions … Romans 7:25a The Message
God is still over the darkness! Christ has forged a path for us from Darkness into the Light, and that gives us reason to hope.
Hope is being able to see that there is light
despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu