Posted by
Bryn T. Jones on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 10:50:07 AM
Reagan famously described America as a Shining City On A Hill. This image is taken from the Bible in reference to Christians. The gospel of John opens with the image of true Light vs. Darkness. Jesus is the light of the world, and John the baptist testified to the light. We, as Christ followers carry the light into the world. The world still doesn't comprehend the light and cannot overcome it.
When putting my three-year-old to bed he asked me if the dark was going to get him. He's starting to learn to fear the darkness. All kids go through this phase. As they get older, their minds develop and they realize that darkness prevents them from seeing what might be around them. Instinctively, they know there is danger in the world. Since they can't see, they fear the unknown. For some children this grows into a phobia of darkness and they require 100 watt nightlights to beat back the night. Others are happy with their digital clock's glow or a dim nightlight. Some realize that the room is the same with the lights out and are happy with total darkness.
This fear, however, is universal. Go for a drive at night and witness the number of houses blazing with light. A look at any metropolitan area reveals that lights never go out, there is always a steady glow. The islands of incandescence are visible from space.
In response to my son I told him that he should never fear the dark because he is a child of light. A lightbulb doesn't fear the darkness. The darkness flees from the flame. We are luminous beings, bearing the light of our Creator.
We live in dark times. I say this not because Barak Obama won the election. It would be equally true had John McCain won. It was true for the past 8 and even 16 years. It has been true since the Fall of Creation. The darkness that was dispelled by God's Word has sought to reclaim this world and make it formless and void. Yet we stand as sentinels against this revolution.
In the depths of encroaching gloom, we are called to shine brighter as beacons of pure light.