Walking in Darkness

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of Him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light.
I Peter 2:9

Several years ago when our Jennie was just under a year old, our family made a trip to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Jennie was riding on her dad's back in a child's back pack. We took a conducted tour of the cave and even had the treat of eating in their underground dining area. Halfway through the tour and I guess as close to the bottom of the cave as the tour went, the tour guide instructed our small group to stop where we were and cluster together as closely as we could. He wanted us at least in close touching distance from each other. His reason for this was that he was going to flip a switch that would turn out the lights in that area of the cave. He cautioned that we would find ourselves in a darkness we had never
experienced before and when the light went out, we shouldn't move at all.

He counted down from three as I recall and the lights went out. From most in the group, there came a quiet,verbal gasp. The shock of the darkness was huge. It was a darkness that was suffocating. Within a few seconds, the tour guide lit a match. You can't imagine the light that came from that small match in that total darkness. I have never been in a physical darkness like I was that day. The guide mentioned that if anyone were to become lost in that darkness, they could go insane in a matter of days. I will never forget the effect we all felt when that one little match was struck. We could feel ourselves as individuals feeling physically drawn, almost leaning in to that little light. I was reminded that in a very dark place, even my little flicker of a flame of witness can have more of an impact than I can realize.

During a recent visit with our daughter Jennie, we went to all sorts of places. We did some hiking in familiar areas, some car touring through beautiful scenery and visited other places of note. One place we enjoyed was Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. That is a fascinating place for children and adults as well. One thing I noticed while there was the lighting in most of the aquarium...it was pretty dark, especially in the long clear tunnel that featured several types of marine life that seemed to swim above and to the sides of individuals passing through. Many other areas were very dimly lit in order to feature different sized displays of varied fish and sea life. I understood that need of lighting and still do.

In the beginning of our wanderings, it wasn't so bad as the entrance area and a little beyond was well lit, but as we proceeded through the aquarium, the light became dimmer. From there, the various display areas became darker to the point that I personally felt somewhat off balance physically. The unguided tour was wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I was very glad toward the end of a main tunnel, to see the gift shop in the distance, where, of course, there was plenty of light. I didn't buy anything there, but was glad to walk through it to the exit door where, outside, there was a great abundance of light...no feeling of being off balance or off kilter. Darkness can affect us in various ways.

Scripture speaks in several areas about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. We live in a country of moral and spiritual darkness. It's a darkness that God hates, but that a good majority of Americans are choosing.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

This verse speaks where many in our country are right now with regard to morals and standards...good is no longer just good and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior/lifestyles are now being rationalized and accepted by many. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm of darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us. As Christians, we are meant to be people of light and discernment. The encouraging part of that verse is: “Woe unto them...” The “woes” of Scripture are never positive when God pronounces them. He takes care of things in His time.

As I write, just this week, our country has suffered another tragedy in the killing of nine Christians, while sitting in their church during a Bible study. A visitor to the group stood, shot nine of those in attendance that ushered them right into Heaven. All of the “why” questions began to pour in to various media outlets. It's interesting to see commentators and experts scramble for answers as to how this and similar events can happen. I have the answer...the darkness of evil. Some say it's guns...no, it's evil. Others say it's mental illness...no, it's evil. There are thousands who struggle with mental illness who never kill anyone or even think of it. Some experts say it's a lack of jobs or education, and then, of course, there is the confederate flag that is just another excuse added to the list. We know all have sinned and come short of God's glory. Sin is at the root of it all. As individuals and thus as a country, nothing can be cured unless the problem is diagnosed. The diagnosis is sin/evil and the answer is Jesus. Sound too simple? Well, it is simple. Jesus never made salvation difficult for anyone, other than for Himself.

I have since thought that in this dark world, we make our way through it the best we can with very limited spiritual light. God will give us all we want of His light, but even that light here can't compare to that light we will one day know. We wander through this dark world, but we see light ahead that the unsaved world doesn't see at all. We born again ones find hope in the light ahead of us and one day will realize the fulness of the light of His presence. Gone will be the darkness and shadows we have known in a sin-fallen world. Heaven's light will come from Jesus, THE Light, and we will bask in that Light for eternity.

In “light” of what has been written, I feel the necessity to revisit at least the last part of the opening verse:

... that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light.
I Peter 2:9b

Thank You, Lord Jesus for being my light in a very dark world. Help me to share Your light to those around me who need Your light in their lives as much as I do. In Your precious name.

AMEN