From Dark to Light

In the 90's, a power anthem was recorded by the great singer/song-writer Gloria Estefan entitled "Coming Out of the Dark".  The song has great lyrics that describe the journey we take when we are faced with challenges or trials in life.  For the artist, she wrote this song after experiencing an accident that required a lot of physical therapy and threatened her music career.  Gloria performed this song on a music awards show to thunderous applause as she marked her comeback. 

For some reason, about a year ago, this song came to my mind and I searched the Internet for the lyrics and the music video.  The song itself is beautifully written and orchestrated.  However, one particular line grabbed my heart and struck me as incredibly profound.  The lyric goes "you've gotta be in the dark to make it into the light."  Although the song was not written for the Christian music market, I believe the message, this lyric specifically, is straight from the scriptures.  In fact, for the believer, we can take three important lessons from this one line.

1) The dark is a given.  It is impossible to walk this planet and not go through some version of a "dark time".   Yours will surely be different from mine, but regardless the bible says that in this life we will have trouble (John 16:32-33).  I know for myself, I experience the most frustration when I look a trial in the face and stomp my foot in an attempt to pitch my own tent in "Pity City".  I stand in my own mess, scratch my head and wonder "why me?".   If we approach life thinking that nothing will go wrong, that there should be no trouble or pain or disappointment, then we are setting ourselves up for failure.  So embrace the fact that life is going to be tough at times.  There will be dark times. 

2) Darkness is a mark of progression.  The idea of us having dark times in our life, although a guarantee, can be embraced as a mile marker.  How can we move from point A to point B if we are never at point A to begin with?  When we experience a dark time in our life, we should count it as joy just like James instructed us in Chapter 1.  That joy comes from knowing growth is coming, change is inevitable and that this time of darkness means that "light" is just around the corner.  You can't be in the light if you aren't first in the dark.

3) Darkness allows for the light to show up.    Imagine walking into a room with lots of light.  It is almost blinding the amount of light in this room.  You are holding a flashlight and in this brightly lit room...you flick on your flashlight.  Do you think you can see that beam of light?  Given the amount of light already in the room, probably not.  Now, imagine walking into a room that has no light, no windows, no spill over light from another room.....pitch black darkness.  Picture yourself standing in that space with nothing but your little flashlight.  Now when you turn on your light, do you think you will see the beam?  Absolutely!  And I would guess that you could see the effects of that light across the room as the light bounces off the walls and ceiling.  You see, the light has no real effect unless it is working in a dark room.  The same is true for us as believers and our own personal Light, Jesus Christ.  When we are in the middle of a dark time, that is when Jesus shines His brightest.  His power can be best displayed when He steps into the middle of our circumstances and works.  And just the smallest touch from the Almighty can have an overwhelming impact on our situation.  When you think about it that way, it is almost exciting to go through a dark time.  In fact, imagine if we all faced our valleys and trials and dark times with a beaming smile that says, "Great!  A dark, horrible thing has happened.  I can't wait to see what Jesus is going to do here. "  Bring on the dark because we know the Light, we carry it in our hearts and we have power to draw it out and shine it in the middle of our circumstances.


Why be afraid if I'm not alone
Though life is never easy the rest is unknown
Up to now for me it's been hands against stone
Spent each and every moment
Searching for what to believe

(chorus)
Coming out of the dark, I finally see the light now
It's shinning on me
Coming out of the dark, I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me

Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger holding your hand
Step by step I'll make it through I know I can
It may not make it easier but I have felt you
Near all the way

(repeat chorus)

Forever, forever I stand on the rock of your love
Forever I'll stand on the rock
Forever, forever I stand on the rock of your love
Love is all it takes, no matter what we face
You gotta be in the dark to make it into the light

(chorus out)