Light Does Not Always Win

I recently went to a Christmas service at my church. It was such an amazing service, and they ended with a lighting of candles and singing Silent Night. The pastor then began to talk about the properties of light. That it brings comfort and warmth. That it can provide a feeling of safety. That it can be a source of power. And he closed by saying that when confronted with darkness, light always wins. He was of course equating the light of our candles to the Light that is our Lord, but as I left and contemplated that phrase, I realized he was wrong. Light does not always win.

Light Has Limits

Light can only shine so far. It can only illuminate so much. If you are standing in a dark room with a small candle, you may have light, but you will still feel surrounded by dark. And while the small light you might have will give you a small sense of comfort, the surrounding dark will still be overwhelming and full of terror. Light can only defeat the darkness if its presence is larger.

So it is with life. My life, the life of my loved ones, and I am sure if you are honest…yours too. Especially in this season, the darkness is thick with uncertainty and fear. There are beings sitting in the darkness waiting to devour me. Monsters of anger and resentment and bitterness. Monsters of depression and despair and discouragement. Monsters that threaten to overtake me.

But I have my candle. And darkness is always there. It is always just outside the beam, waiting.

But maybe this is the way it is supposed to be. How much more do we depend on that light, that candle, when we are surrounded by darkness. How much more do fight to stay in its comforting circle of protection. And is it more valuable that the light is there at all?

The Lord is My Light

This is how I am seeing the Lord these days. The candle in my darkness. Revealing Himself just enough to remind me that He is HERE. Not because all he can be is a candle. Should he chose he could light up the whole room. But where would my faith be? Where would my growth be? Where would my reliance be? Some days the candle turns into a lantern. Some days the candle turns into a searchlight. Some days the darkness is small and almost forgotten. And some days the candle flickers low. But I CLING to that candle. I focus on that candle until the monsters in the dark fade and their voices become silent.

The light doesn’t ALWAYS win, right now it is not supposed to. But light CAN win. Ultimately light WILL win. One day HE will win. And it is because of that promise, that guarantee, that I cling to whatever light He chooses to give me. Knowing that for now, it is enough.