Discovering God in Both Darkness & Light

With darkness falling earlier, I have looked forward to the growing number of lights as I drive through my neighborhood.  The display increases with each passing day! 
 
Childlikeness, anticipation, playfulness, joy, and magic are part of the season.
So is pressure, overstimulation, exhaustion, loneliness, anger, and grief. 
 
Some years it is more one than the other, isn’t it?  Other times it is a mix.
 
The good news is that God is with us (& found) in both—moments that look & feel light and those that look & feel dark.    
 
Said the Psalmist (139):  
11  If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
          and the light become night around me,”
 
12  even the darkness will not be dark to you;
          the night will shine like the day,
          for darkness is as light to you.
 
Our culture does a good job celebrating God in the light, but rarely guides us to discover God in the dark, especially during Christmastime.  For some, the idea of God seeing us in the dark inspires more fear than comfort!  However, the Psalmist is extolling the wonder of being seen by God, even when he cannot "see" God. 

When all is dark around us, God is still there, within and without.  Do you have the inner eyes to see (& receive comfort)?  Perhaps it is time to let yourself befriend the darkness or rather let yourself be befriended in the dark. 

• As a spiritual practice, try sitting in the dark or looking up into the night sky for an extended time, especially as we near the Solstice, the literal longest night of the year (December 21st).  Become aware of the sounds, the feeling of the room or your natural surroundings, the feelings inside of you.  What invitations do you discover in the darkness?  How is God with you in the dark?     
• Join me for The Longest Night of the Year Service via Zoom as we journey through the darkness together through meditation, instrumental music, art, Scriptural laments, and more.  December 21st from 7:30-8:00pm Central Time.  Email me for the link.