John 1
Is the dimness of this world weighing heavily on your mind? Is the darkness of politics and injustices filling you with fear and anxiety? Do the unfairnesses you see worry you for the future? Are our circumstances surrounding the virus at this point in time seeming never ending? I had a discussion with one of my kids last weekend and they were asking me if I have ever lived through a darker time in my life than what we are currently facing. The question made me evaluate and think on some pretty heavy topics. I didn’t expect to still be thinking on the question days later so as I prepped for this post and read the first 18 verses of John 1, I unexpectedly experienced peace and calm wash over my troubled spirit.
“In the beginning the Word (Jesus) already existed. Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. Jesus gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
So Jesus became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”
God has always existed. He knows everything from before the beginning of the world. I can’t even make sense of that statement. I can’t grasp that God was before time. Any shred of understanding I can try to apply floods me with relief from the trouble of this world. He was here, He is still here and He will be here in the future. He has seen it all and His life brought light to everyone. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Our world cannot rid itself of God. Do you feel the comfort and relief that vs 5 speaks into our lives? It is hope! We are not abandoned or alone. He is with us. He understands our fears and anxiety. The One who is with us gives blessing after blessing from His abundance. Our world’s darkness can never extinguish His light. He prevails! I don’t know about you, but I need to be reminded of this daily!! (Especially if I watch the evening news!) I need to cling to the fact that Jesus shines in the darkness of our world. I need for my kids to know the hope that in the end Jesus prevails. This definitely does not mean that all will go smoothly for us and that our worries are over. Actually I think our world will get much darker than it currently is in the future. But Light shines in the darkness. He is our hope.