For about the last week, the Christmas Conversation devo has asked us to take a survey of what is around us... an honest survey of what is around us. Darkness has been one of the main themes. Words like evil, sin, enemies of God, can't fix it, only make it worse, messed up relationships, a world that stinks in a lot of ways, things that look good on the surface- seemingly harmless and fulfilling- turn out to lead us deeper into emptiness and despair, loneliness, fallenness.
Sound familiar? Not only from the reading, but also from the life you live everyday. Your experiences, your relationships, your struggles. Sin and darkness have crept into every corner of our lives. It's easy to feel trapped and powerless to get out. Fargo residents can understand this feeling after the "white-out darkness" of last weekend's blizzard. We couldn't see across the street, we couldn't get out of our doors let alone our driveways, and we were at the mercy of those clearing the roads (for whom we are greatly appreciative). How did you spend your time while you were trapped inside? What did you do as work and school were shut-down for a day? Did you go crazy like me?
The Conversation talks about opposites in this section of days as well. The opposite of snow-covered Fargo may be balmy Largo, Florida. They sound like they should be neighboring communities, but alas we are worlds apart. The opposite of darkness? That's right, light! And we are moving toward a celebration of the light that God sent into a world bound in darkness. A light that exposes the darkness for what it truly is. A light that takes overpowers the darkness setting people free from its shadow. Fargo and Largo right now seem worlds apart. But God is not distant, He is not worlds apart. He entered into the dark world and entered into our lives. Day 17: whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not... God is doing something in your life RIGHT NOW! Even if you don't speak it, hear the prayer of Day 18- God understands what it feels like to be you.
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