"What has come into being in him was life, and the life was thelight
of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
did not overcome it." John 1:3b-5
When we were in Wisconsin last month, I teased my
family when it seemed to get dark early in the evening, bragging about
long summer hours in Edmonton with light until at least 11 p.m.
Of course when we returned we realized that that light is already
quckly waning in our beautiful skies and fall is close upon us.
Where did the summer go? Some of us experience a letdown as
school begins and we head back to a more scheduled routine that can
easily become hectic and overwhelming. How do we maintain the
sense of refreshment and renewal that we often feel after times of
holiday, and especially when the darkness starts overtakingthe day?
John says that Jesus is the true light, and the
darkness cannot overcome him. As we're setting up our routines
for fall, let's make sure we include a specific time set aside for
God. Time away from our chaotic schedules to centre on the source
of light is a way to continually be refreshed in the midst of the
darkness that will eventually consume our days here in Edmonton, as
well as the dark times that can happen in our lives. Time away
can entail reading a bit of scripture each day, or a devotoinal book,
orusing our daily text. It will include prayer where one can
share frustrations, joys, and wounds with God, and be open to God's
touch and healing. When we come together weekly as a faith
community, we can also bring our joys and awareness of God, supporting
each other through the long winters ofour lives until the days glow
long again. Let us go into the darkness with God's light glowing
within.
