Our plans had changed suddenly, and John and I found ourselves in downtown Orlando with some time on our hands. We decided to go to a restaurant on top of a building after hearing the view was pretty good.
What an understatement.
The sun was setting, and the colors and light were so spectacular that the city skyline paled in comparison. The sight was stunning, and it left us both speechless for a brief time.
Brief being the operative word. I’m rarely speechless for long.
The Kia Center, the arena where the Orlando Magic play, seemed dwarfed by the light. Its tiny glow seemed dim in comparison, even though when you’re close to it, it’s quite brilliant.
The thing about sunsets is they’re short-lived. The spectacular nature of their colors is what we see as the day ends, as the light diminishes. When darkness comes, it feels like the light wasn’t there at all.
We do everything we can to bring light to the darkness.
Growing up, I used to be terrified of the dark. My rather vivid imagination could picture all kinds of horrific things in my room. Even though I shared a room with my two sisters, I knew without a doubt they could do nothing to save me if anything truly attacked. Even in hot weather, I’d bring the covers up to my chin, thinking in some childish manner that they could protect me.
Darkness is a living reality for much of the world. The darkness of war, famine, persecution, and anger colors the attitudes of people everywhere. We become darkened in our own character when we allow all the pain and suffering in the world to seep into our souls, forgetting that there is hope if we only seek it.
Jesus Himself is Light, a Light that can’t be extinguished nor ignored. “The Word (Jesus) gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought Light to everyone. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:4-5. Jesus said of Himself to the crowds who followed Him, “I am the Light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.” John 8:22
Only true light can reveal the things that are hidden in darkness. Darkness itself masks all things; it blankets our wounds and pain, it covers our mistakes and messiness, and it keeps us from the freedom of having our needs revealed in truth.
But darkness doesn’t have to be our only option. Martin Luther King, Jr., who won the Nobel Peace Prize, once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Where darkness can hide our faults and misery, the love of God focuses light on who we are, and in our darkest places, He offers us love and forgiveness.
Desmond Tutu, a South African Anglican bishop who also won the Nobel Peace Prize, once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite the darkness.” We all will experience varying degrees of darkness in our lives because the world is not all good. There are problems, no matter where we live or what our circumstances are. But our hope is in the Light that Jesus shines on us, a light of unconditional love and full forgiveness.
Though the beauty of that sunset was fleeting, it reminded me that the promise of eternal life and light in Jesus won’t ever be taken away. When we are loved by Jesus, the light of His love shines on us forever. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38.
Can you see the light?
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