and the darkness could not overcome it

Our Christmas 2019 sermon dealt with the present darkness threatening to overcome our minds and hearts, and how we can overcome it. At the this, in the midst of my own storm, I found it so profound. Little did I know what lay ahead for 2020.

So many people come to worship over Christmas while struggling with a darkness – of loss and grief, for others guilt shame or addiction, for others depression. The pastor highlighted that the book of John does not bother to describe the nativity scene and the logistics around the event, but rather focusses on the impact of the event: the Light came to the world and the darkness could not overcome it. The Light was triumphant, even in His most broken season of life.

He tells us that I AM the light, the great I AM as He also said it to Moses. And then He continues to say that we are also the light.
This message today, though we have heard it so many times and know it in our hearts, the reminder brought me great comfort.

We dont know all answers, we dont always know the way, but we can rest and take comfort in the fact that He is in control. The darkness could not overcome the light, even this present darkness will not overcome the power, healing, comfort and sovereign claim to our lives and hearts that the Light has. Many things are important and dear to us, but our love and relationship with Him takes all presidence. If He shone at His brightest while He was broken, so will I. In the book of Judges Gideon wins a war by breaking clay pots so that the light may shine through. Specifically the act of breaking those pots gave the victory. God is the Potter, and if He chooses to use a broken pot so that it may shine, so that it will light up the house, that is what I choose to be.

John 1:5

New International Version
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

He will not let the darkness overcome us, because as He is the Light, so are we because it is our inheritance. This darkness of loss, death, grief, pain, addiction, depression, anxiety, you name it; we overcome it by letting the Character of the Great I Am shine through us to the world.

I learnt this year that we are lighthouses. A lighthouse stands steadfast in its foundation where ships approach it because of its light. It does not chase after each individual ship, convincing it to follow its light. The ships also does not sail to reach the lighthouse, it sails to reach the shore safely. So as we shine, let’s shine as Isaiah 60 calls us. Shining not so that others may see us, but so they may reach Him.

1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

² See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

³ Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn

Isaiah 60:1-3