“He who made the Pleiades and Orion and changes deep darkness into morning, who also darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is His name.” (Amos 5:8 NASB)
Does anyone really know how to change deep darkness into morning? The bible time and again says ‘yes’ – there are those who change even deep darkness into the light of the dawning day – they are given many names but the Bible likes ‘children of light’ best and uses it often. I also like the image that comes from: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness” which is the Christopher’s motto. We are children of light, made for the light, called to bring light. The deeper the darkness the more a single candle shines out, changing darkness to light, changing despair to hope, changing fear to faith.
Today you can be a change agent. Today you can let your light so shine that others who are in the deepest darkness of despair, or depression might see a hopeful sign and reach out for that love that is waiting for them. I find such hope in many places and especially in the poets ability to image a new way and a new day. Kate Mcllhagga of the Iona Community wrote “The shadow of the dove’ which is transformative. The dove, for me, is the spirit of God present in circumstances, bringing God’s life-changing love to every situation.
“When dawn’s ribbon of glory around the world returns and the earth emerges from sleep –
The shadow of the dove is seen as she flies across moor and city.
The shadow of hope is cast across the bars of a hostage cell filling with momentary light rooms tense with conflict, bringing a brief respite, a sliver of gold across the dark.
She flies untiring across flooded fields, across a city divided by hate and fear, across a town wreathed in smoke.
The shadow of reconciliation, the dove of peace with healing in her wings, is felt and seen and turned towards as she makes righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of her cause like the noonday sun.
Holy Spirit of love, bring healing, bring peace.”
Prayer: Holy Spirit of love, bring healing, bring peace.
4 CEB)
Kenn Stright
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