Out of the Darkness – Beauty

Many of us love the breathtaking music of Handel’s Messiah. It has a way of drawing us into the story of Christ in a way that is utterly compelling, moving. It touches something deep within us.

It was interesting to learn that this masterpiece was not written at the height of Handel’s career. It was written shortly after he had suffered a stroke, and while he was living in poverty. At that point in his life, Handel had been feeling tremendous despair about his failure as a musician. And it was out of the darkness that arose this inspiring and beautiful work of art.

Sometimes out of the darkest nights, comes the most profound inspiration.

Scholar Timothy Beal, writing about spiritual formation, makes the claim that, “Darkness and uncertainty provide the environment most conducive to growth of the soul.

Of course, it’s not that we are all going to achieve creative genius during these tough times. No. However, these moments, while they are scary and difficult, they are at the same time heavy with potential. There is potential for the soul to grow. There is potential to come out on the other side stronger, deeper, more beautiful, more faithful.

It is in these moments when there is nowhere else to turn, no further options, when it appears there is no way forward, that we must fall on our knees and turn to God.

My prayer for you is that when you encounter those dark times in life, may you stay open to God’s Spirit. And may you trust that God can do something new, something powerful, even something life-giving through you.

Let us pray: In the darkest of nights, O God, it is often hard to trust. But trust and hope are all we have. Please, Lord, be at work even now in our confusion or despair. Work new life and strength in us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.