I wonder why we celebrate All Hallows Eve, but forget about All Hallows Day, also known as All Saints Day?
Many have difficulty believing in God, but few have trouble admitting there is evil. No one can deny the darkness, the death, the war, the destruction, the loss in the world and in our personal lives.
“Our very experience of evil points to the biblical story. In that story, we begin with a God of light, life, and love. Then there is a turn. We have rejected God’s light, life, and love and have therefore entered darkness, death, and disconnection. Yet, in all this, the darkness we feel does not rule out the light; it presupposes it.” Glen Scrivener
But did you ever stop to think that darkness isn’t a force that can fight against light? When light enters, the darkness must retreat. Light always overcomes darkness. The night can’t extinguish the light bulb. Everywhere the light shines, the darkness must leave. Light is a force, but darkness is simply the absence of light. So in admitting evil, we are actually confirming the existence of the good. Evil doesn’t exist on its own. Evil is simply the absence of good. They aren’t equal opposing forces.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (Or the darkness can never extinguish it.)” John 1:5
“The God of light, life, and love has seen his beloved creatures plunge themselves into darkness, death, and disconnection. What does he do? Well, what does love do? Love says, Your darkness will be my darkness, your pit will be my pit, your debts will be my debts. At Christmas, Jesus entered the darkness. Through his teaching and healing, he enlightened the darkness. At the cross, he became the darkness. And in the resurrection, he conquered the darkness.” Glen Scrivener https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/don-t-waste-the-darkness?
So the next time we recognize darkness in our own thoughts or actions, let’s push back with the light of God’s words.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you
Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.
You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.
Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.
Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.
If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
I would have died in my misery.
I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life.
You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.
Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.
Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.
I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalm 119: 105, 11, 29, 45, 59, 73, 90-93, 114-115, 130, 143-144, 165, 176
Let’s also push back the darkness by spending time with other light bearers. I’ve been challenged by reading the stories of the men and women of faith who have lived faithfully in eras of darkness in the past. And I sure couldn’t move forward with courage without the help of the community of faith right here in my town, right now. Let’s read biographies of worthy people of God in the past and spend time now gathering together with those of like precious faith. None of us is perfect. We fail and we need Jesus’ forgiveness. But we keep on carrying the light through the darkness often times stumbling toward the dawn.
So let’s revel, be happy, and celebrate that the night of evil will end in a glorious dawn! Let’s set our hope on the ultimate triumph of God’s Light when Jesus rules. Post tenebrous lux: After darkness, light!
Photo credit Kalyn M. Edit G’ma G.