For God who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Read this verse slowly.
Write it down and draw an emoji or a symbol at the end of each line.
So many of us are still in the physical thick, harsh cold of winter. The darkness of winter with short days, cold beginnings, layering and bundling, moving towards warmth.
That is what the darkness of our broken world is like. Long, harsh, cold, layers of hurt and pain and the non-sense of life.
But God in His lavish love and mercy, grace and truth is not stopped by darkness or brokenness. God is not stumped when the surprise illness, financial drought, betrayed relationship, teetering faith, or dead dreams cover us with darkness.
While we may doubt, despair, double down on our need for control and understanding, for questioning and complaining, God is always patiently with us. For us.
God listens to our darkness, hears our cries, authentic wrestling, honest wishing.
While we may not hear back, see the rising sun, or hope blooming on the horizon;
while we may never get the clear answer or understand the why, the who, the when,
God is making his light shine in our hearts.
God has and is giving us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory.
And it is in Jesus. The One who came into our darkness. All of it. (Name yours)
This is the promise in any winter. In any season. For anyone. Jesus has walked our way, felt our uncertainty, knows our limited human capacity. Because he became one of us, Jesus knows the way back to God the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light of life.
Look into the face of Jesus. This is where the Light shines.