Out of the Darkness

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 compelling, moving. It touches something deep within us.

I was interested 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, Handel had been feeling tremendous despair. He felt a failure as a musician. 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, most of us are not going to achieve creative genius during these tough times. However, these moments, while they are scary and difficult, 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 often 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. In the darkness, it is simply imperative to trust the presence and power of God’s Spirit, who has promised to make all things new.

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.