Light in the Darkness
“Even the Stained Glass Bows” By Bernadette Lamb
Light in the Darkness
By Christine Howson
The readings for March 28th from Ezekiel speak of great light and love, restoration and fulfillment of God’s promises at all levels, including the healing, shepherding, and transformation of people and nations. God is calling for a new heart and spirit for the people.
Then the gospel of John comes, zeroing in on darkness-the plotting of the religious leaders against Jesus, and Caiaphas, specifically, who prophesied God’s vision but couldn’t hear the truth of it. He leads others to give in to their fears and to take action towards destruction and death.
A book I’ve been praying with this Lent is In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jaques Philippe which, among other things, considers the role of the heart in discerning and receiving God’s grace. He writes:
“Two elements of the spiritual life are the purification of the heart and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Those are the two poles of the whole spiritual life...” (pg. 74).
It continues,
“If someone gives himself wholly to good works and the other applies himself entirely to purifying his heart and cutting away what there is in it that opposes grace, this second person will achieve perfection twice as quickly as the first.” (pg. 76)
My experience of the church’s readings for today brought a certain awareness, perhaps something of my own heart. I know that God’s love and light overcome any darkness or plan to thwart Him. The outpouring of promises and plans for good for His people who have been lost overflows throughout these readings of Ezekial and the gospel reading reveals that the people are affected and believing. However, the fear-filled characters of Caiaphas and his companions this week still upset me in a way that lingers. Maybe this darkness and tension also remind me of other troubles in the world near and far. God says there will be trouble, but we should remain at peace and keep our eyes on Him. The readings remind me not to be tempted to manage or fix others but to purify my own heart, to repent and believe, and to let myself be transformed as He calls.
God, in His greatness, will use all things for His plan to bring the greatest good and outpouring of love, the salvation of His people. Even the worst intentions and tragedies are used in this path of good. Thank you, God, for this miraculous gift of all time, the salvation of His people, and for the reminder that your plan of love always wins.
Christine Howson writes from St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She can be reached at christine.howson@gmail.com
Bernadette Lamb tells stories about relational healing, the fantastical, and the complicated business of growing up.