Night Goggles

“Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.” – Joe

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). We have all read about those astounding night goggles that help military personnel see in the dark. For instance, in a totally black room you can see other persons, pictures on the wall, other objects in the room. Something in those goggles picks up the unseen light in the room so you can see.

What a marvelous parable for the church. There is some light in all darkness. We are the power that is able to pick up the beacon of unseen Light and enable the world to behold it more clearly. We know and trust a God who calls us out of darkness into his marvelous Light. Space scientists have long posited a theory about black holes in space. Black holes are dark cavities in which there appears to be no light whatsoever. The theory says that the force of gravity is so powerful that even the photons of light collapse in upon themselves under the pull. All light is gone.

Epiphany is the season in which we boldly proclaim that the Light of Jesus Christ can outshine even the black holes of space! The darkness of hopelessness, grief, illness, pain and depression do not have the last word. The Light has come. The Light shines in the deepest darkness and the darkness cannot, will not overcome it. That is the TA-DA! of the gospel. We have been touched by the Light.

Let us pray: O Lord of our hearts and minds, we know you are always with us and you love us. Grant us the peace that comes from that reassurance that whether we walk through fields of flowers or stumble along the streets of sadness, we will walk beside you. Though Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.