The Light That Shines in the Darkness

A short reflection for Epiphany, 2021. 

The year 2020 reminded us that it’s really scary to not be in control; to live in time where things can change rapidly from moment to moment.

We learned that what we take for granted now might be gone tomorrow, and that we have no way to know what will happen in our future.

With everything going on in the world right now, it can feel dark and frightening. So many people I've spoken to find themselves entering this new year with more anxiety than usual.

In these times, it is important to remember that Christ is the answer to all of our fear: He is the light for the darkness of our time. He is our assurance that all will be well.

Granted, Jesus never claimed to answer the specifics of our day-to-day: how something will turn out, or especially why anything happens the way it does. He only came to tell us that if we believe in him, all will be well for us.⁠

Even though our minds can’t figure out how everything is going to work out in this new year, we can trust that - however it unfolds - it is ultimately going to be OK.

Yesterday was the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating when the three wise men found the baby Jesus by following a bright star shining in the darkness. We all have areas of darkness in our lives, and we all need Light. We each have specific things we need enlightened by Christ.

Just as the Wise Men did, we too can look to see the light of Christ shining into the darkness of our world. 

What are the areas in your life that feel darkened by sin or past wounds or anxiety? How can you open those areas to the light of Christ?