John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

I got into a debate once with my Creative Writing professor at the university I attended. It was about darkness and light. She implied that writing should reflect the prominence of the darkness inside humanity and that as writers it’s fair to speak to it and accept it because it’s the truth. Darkness abounds. Why sugar coat it? Why not embrace it?

I offered a different perspective. That light is greater than the darkness. Even a small flame can shed enough light that the darkness literally must flee! If the tiniest speck of light can be seen amidst vast blackness, isn’t it an artist’s moral duty to be that light? To try to bring beauty and goodness to a world blinded by despair?

We have a beautiful gift, friends. While the world walks in darkness, we’ve been given a light in Jesus. We no longer see things as the world does. And you know what’s even crazier? That light is shining from us too!

We are God’s lighthouses. He has given each of us a unique way that we shine His love. Maybe you have an amazing gift of hospitality. Or of encouragement. Maybe you’re a person gifted with reason and logic. Or music. Or teaching. Or just giving really good hugs!

So, are you sharing your light? Or are you contributing more to the darkness? It takes courage. It really does. Especially when most of society is like a vampire that shrieks in fear of the light!

Don’t hide your light. Shine it with the force of a thousand suns! Take it into the recesses of the vampire lair and give them a much-needed sun tan ;-)

Beir bua agus beannacht,
(Gaelic, old chaps. Means “Take a Victory and Blessing!”)

Alina