The theme of light permeates Scripture and reflects the character of God. In Genesis 1:3 God said, “. . . ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.” On the first day of creation God separated the light from darkness. He called the light day and He called the darkness night. 

There are numerous references to light as opposed to darkness in God’s Word. I John 1:5 states that “. . . God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” Ephesians 5:8-9 says, “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth.  Verse 11 instructs believers to “not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them . . .” Light is consistent with godliness and honesty while darkness reflects sin and attempts to conceal it.

There seems to be a current trend towards darkened church worship centers. This seems inconsistent with what God’s Word teaches about light and darkness. On a bright sunny summer morning in a church with ample windows, I ask myself why these windows are covered with black shades. Some church windows are made of beautiful stain glass and designed especially for light to shine through them. What has happened to the beautiful sunny day that we left outside as we walked into a place of worship? Why are we not rejoicing in the light of the Lord? Are we grieving something? What is all this darkness that surrounds us on a bright and beautiful Lord’s Day morning? I wonder if people who drive past our churches on Sunday morning en route to other destinations sometimes wonder what we are doing in there with all the windows shrouded in darkness.

I suppose it is a cultural trend. Yet I always thought Christians were to lead rather than follow the culture. If we try so hard to relate to the culture that we have nothing unique to offer them, why would they be interested in our salvation message?

Sunday, the first day of the week, celebrates that first Easter morning when Christ arose from the grave. The disciples had just endured the physical and emotional darkness of Good Friday and a very sad and oppressive Sabbath Day. They celebrated the glorious light of that Resurrection Day. It was bright and glorious. It was a day to celebrate. They did not take joy in the darkness of the tomb. They took joy in the first light of that beautiful day. Why do we enter a dark place to celebrate a risen Lord?!

Let’s walk as “children of the light and children of the day,” (I Thessalonians 5:5)

Blessings,

Elsie