Light shining in; light shining out

Walking from the dark parking lot toward my church for an evening TaizÃ©â€š service, I was struck by how beautiful the place was. Light streamed out on the night from the stained glass windows. So many Sunday mornings I'd gloried in the visual feast those windows offered, the sunlight shining through them into the sanctuary. But this time -- on this particular evening, Sept. 16 -- the light that was shining out was even more affecting.

These times following the terrorist attacks are among the darkest we've faced as a nation and as a people of faith. Uncertain, perilous, fearsome times. A strange white powder appearing on a table last month in one of our church day care centers would have been dusted away without a thought before. Now it is ominous. Police are notified, the powder tested. We can't be too careful.

Our fears seem absurd when the strange substance turns out to be powdered sugar from an early meeting's donuts. Relieved but still nervous, we remain vigilant.

If we're uneasy and worried even in our churches and during the daylight, where can we feel safe? Life can change horribly in an instant. But this has always been true -- even before Sept. 11.

As Christians we lean on that "blessed assurance" Christ gave us. We know we're safe in God's love no matter what happens to us. We may hold to that assurance, but so many remain out "in the dark" of fear and uncertainty in a world gone mad.

Yes, we must be wary, must say "I love you" more often to family, friends. We must keep our nation and hope for the peace of all nations bathed in prayer. Even so, let's look around us in the dark for the one who is lost.

While we take comfort in our churches, in our luminous faith, perhaps it's the light shining out into the darkness around us that matters most.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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