Chaos and Darkness: The Deep Need for Light

The Earth was in complete chaos.

Darkness covered the face of the deep.

A wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

And then…suddenly…God spoke.

Light.

As Christians gather this week to remember the crucifixion of Jesus by the empire in collusion with religious leaders, the world once again faces chaos and darkness.

Inhumane treatment of migrants.

Global financial insecurity.

Attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dismantling education.

Disregard of basic wellness.

Treating friends as foes.

Turning a blind eye to genocide.

Threatening citizens with cruelty.

Abandoning the rule of law.

Destroying institutional stability.

Criminalizing dissent.

Fusing church and state.

Advocating division over unity.

Choosing darkness over light.

The echoes of Holy Week still bounce in our ears, as we stand at Friday’s cross wondering…

What went wrong?

What happened?

How did we get here?

The cries of Palm Sunday’s protest still echoing in our ears.

The turmoil at the Temple still glistening in our eyes when Jesus turned over corruption.

The Passover bread and wine still lingering on our tongues.

The sounds of betrayal at the garden sealed with a kiss.

The abandonment of friends.

The so-called trials.

The choice…oh, the choice…Barabbas over Jesus.

The decision made clear, “No king but Cassear!”

The crown of thorns.

The cat-o’-nine-tails.

The bloody robe.

The walk to Golgotha.

The wooden cross.

The nails.

The cries.

The darkness of Friday consumed the world.  

When God tried to bring peace and salvation to the world, the world rejected a universal act of divine generosity.  

“Give us chaos and darkness,” the world declared.  

The darkness of Friday left the world in chaos.  

The people made their choice.

The world must now live with the consequences.

But, we forget, the spirit of God never stops hovering.  

Granted, circumstances look bleak.  

Politicians remind us they still wield great power.  

Religious fundamentalists believe they made the right choice.  

A large segment of citizens bask in a false hope of victory, while the rest of us hang our heads in the silence of Saturday.

But, then, in a sudden moment, God’s hovering accelerates, rushing into the chaos and darkness of the tomb.

Sunday morning’s sun has broken over the horizon.

Something…

Something beyond belief…

Something beyond rational thinking…

Something beyond imagination has reentered the world.

Light.

Love.

Life.

Resurrection.

As we stand at the cross of Good Friday this week, consumed with darkness, let’s never forget the coming creative imagination of Sunday.  

Hope still springs eternal, but the faithful must never forget the divine artist behind filling blank canvases with color and dark tombs with light.

We must never lose hope, no matter how much chaos reigns.  

God is hovering, waiting for the opportunity to accelerate into the places needing light, life, and love the most.  

Easter is almost here, so let’s embrace the light and life of Sunday morning.

Let’s follow the steps of the women as they approach the tomb, filled with fear and trepidation, but leaving with hope and joy.

Women teach the world.

We must not give up!  

The time is now.

Sunday is close at hand.

God is already accelerating into the places needing light and life, using the most remarkable people to counter the chaos and darkness.

God’s faithful are rising up alongside Jesus, declaring chaos and darkness will not be victorious.  

Chaos and darkness will not reign.

We will not choose Barabbas.

We will not choose Caesar.  

We choose Jesus.

Happy Easter, friends. The hope of Sunday awaits.

Let the warm light of Sunday morning fill your heart and shine a path forward to walk or run.

God has spoken.

The light is you!