Friday, December 13, 2024
This devotion is the written accompaniment to an instrumental video that can be viewed on our YouTube Channel by clicking HERE.
Look Within to Find God’s Light
African American poet Audre Lorde writes about the light of poetry in her essay, “Poetry is Not a Luxury,” found in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature, Volume 2. Lorde sees poetry as the light that is used to scour the depths of one’s inner life. “It is within this light that we form those ideas by which we pursue our magic and make it realized” (p. 643). Poetry’s light reaches into those aspects of ourselves that we like to hide from ourselves and others. Poetry shines light on those aspects of life that were previously unknown to us. Poetry gives words to emotions that otherwise leave us speechless.
While this poetic light illuminates truth, the same cannot be said for artificial light currently overwhelming our landscapes. The artificial light of streetlamps, security lighting and signs, producing nightglows from towns that can be seen for miles, now emit what is known as light pollution. This type of pollution wreaks havoc on the quality of life for both humans and wildlife alike. According to Brittanica.com, light from urban and suburban areas distract and confuse migratory birds, contributing to a tragic loss of four million birds each year in the United States.
So what are we to make of scripture praising the benefits of light in the face of all our technology producing way too much of it? Let us look at a creation account about the origins of light, Genesis 1:1-5. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God said the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day” (NRSV).
Now this was not written as a scientific theory. No, this creation account was intended as a poem. The Bible begins with poetic light. So is this passage about the sun giving us daylight? On a first read, most certainly. But give it a second read. Can this passage apply to the human condition? Can the void refer to an existential feeling of angst, or dread, that life in the current state of the world has lost its mooring? I would argue in the affirmative. No matter your political leanings, you have probably felt a bit of dread in the past few months. After all, besides polarized politics, there is the threat of climate catastrophe hanging over us.
In response, God answers that dread by delivering light to the innermost workings of our souls, provided we take the time for reflection. Ah, now there’s a word, “reflection.” A word that means both thought and the redirection of light. Reflection is a concept that has been erased by our electronic screens, which deliver distraction after distraction with mindless scrolling. Reflection requires concentrating on a focal point, often made of wood or stone.
With reflection, we can discover the poetic light that illuminates the truth and beauty of our souls, making us “Children of Light,” as described in Ephesians 5:8-9. “For once you were darkness, but now you are light. Live as children of light – for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (NRSV).
The Light of Your Soul
Neon, LEDs and smartphone screens
Light the skies across our land.
So much so that wildlife cannot sleep.
Neither can the homeless woman or man.
Scripture is turned upside down,
By blue light projecting lies.
Light now makes truth invisible,
Returning us to the Void.
But are we not the children of light?
Light exposing goodness and truth?
Of course, but not the light for eyes.
Instead, the light of the poet, artist and composer.
The artisans who dig down deep
Into the crevices of their souls,
Who spend time in the darkness
To discover the light within.
A light found flickering in the darkness
Brings joy that knows no bounds.
This is the light of the Psalmist
And the Word made flesh, skin and bone.
Devotion, Art, Video, and Poem By Rick McVicar