Embracing the Darkness is Essential for Growth

By Deryn

Jan 27, 2025

Sibelius monumnet Helsinki showing organ pipes that are tree trunks of the forest

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument,

Music becomes a voice for change

I have long believed that the arts serve purposes far beyond decoration. A painting can tell a story. A poem can preserve a memory. A novel can give a forgotten person a voice. Drama and dance are transient vehicles for storytelling. And music? Music can bring people together.  have seen something of this for myself in my travels. I have stood before the monument to Jean Sibelius in Helsinki, Finland, and I have visited Estonia. Standing in those places, knowing something of their history, gives a different meaning to the music. You begin to understand that these were not simply composers writing beautiful melodies. In times of oppression and uncertainty, music can become a vessel carrying the identity of an entire people.

Music when a nation finds its voice

Consider Finland. For more than six hundred years, Finland was part of the Swedish realm. In 1809, it passed from Sweden to the Russian Empire and became an autonomous Grand Duchy. During the nineteenth century, a growing Finnish cultural movement sought to strengthen a distinct national identity. The Kalevala compiled from Finnish oral poetry, became an important expression of that identity. Artists, writers, and musicians began to give Finland a language of its own, not necessarily a political language, but a cultural one.

Sculpture of Sibelious Head, Helsinki

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument

Then came Sibelius. In 1899, during a period of increasing Russian pressure and attempts at Russification, Sibelius composed the music that would become Finlandia It was originally part of a series of historical tableaux presented at the Press Celebrations in Helsinki. The final section, known as “Finland Awakes,” stirred something deep in the Finnish people. Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. When I stood before the Sibelius monument, I wasn’t just viewing a memorial to a famous composer. It reminded me of what happens when art helps people remember their identity. Sibelius helped give Finland a sound, and sometimes people need a sound before finding a voice. Organ pipes represented the trees of the forest; forests go deep into the psyche of the Finnish people, a voice that resonated with them.Estonian Music Festival Stand

Estonia sang its way toward freedom

I experienced a similar feeling when I visited Estonia. Domination by powerful neighbors has marked Estonia’s history, and during the Soviet period, language and national identity were under pressure. Yet Estonia had an extraordinary cultural treasure: its singing tradition.

The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s demonstrated just how powerful that treasure could become. Hundreds of thousands of Estonians gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and sang traditional and patriotic songs together. They sang Mu isamaa on minu arm, “Land of My Fathers, Land that I Love,” a song that had become deeply associated with Estonian identity. They also sang the patriotic songs of composer Alo Mattiisen.Music of Estonian Dancers

Estonian Folk Dancers, Video - Deryn van der Tang

This was nonviolence; they were not taking up arms, they were raising their voices. By 1989, the movement had grown into the remarkable Baltic Way, when people in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined hands in a human chain stretching across the three Baltic countries. Music had helped people remember they belonged to something larger than the political system that governed them.

The music that defied ruins

Then there is Sarajevo. During the terrible siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, cellist Vedran Smailović became known as the “Cellist of Sarajevo.” After twenty-two people were killed while waiting for bread, Smailović returned to the devastated area and played Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor in their memory. Picture a city under attack. Amidst the broken buildings and people living in fear, a man sits with his cello and plays. The music could not stop the bombs, nor could it bring the dead back. But it declared something profound:

Beauty had not been destroyed. Human dignity had not been destroyed, and the human spirit had not been destroyed. That is the power of the arts.

Why do the arts matter?

When we talk about social change, we often think about politicians, protesters, legislation, and movements. And, of course, these matter. But underneath every movement is something deeper: a story about who we are and what we believe is worth preserving. Artists help us tell that story. A composer can give a nation a melody. Poets can preserve a language. Painters can capture a landscape that becomes part of a people’s memory. A storyteller can take the ordinary life of one family and reveal something universal about courage, suffering, and hope.

Perhaps that is why oppressive regimes have so often tried to control language, literature, music, and art. They understand something we sometimes forget: culture holds memory. And memory gives people identity.

The Bible tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

Sometimes someone speaks, paints, sings, or writes that word.

The arts may not change the world overnight. Yet, they have the power to shift how people view the world. And once people see differently, they may begin to think differently, hope differently, and eventually act differently.

As I think about Finland, Estonia, and many other places I have traveled, I remember that the arts form a vital part of human society. They are part of our inheritance; they carry the stories of those who came before us. They inspire courage in those struggling today and plant seeds of hope for future generations. Perhaps that is why music has such extraordinary power.

A single voice may be silenced, a single instrument broken, yet a song alive in people’s hearts proves much harder to destroy.

And sometimes, when a people begin to sing together, the world begins to listen.

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Dark woody scene

Winter in the northern hemisphere has always seemed so dark to me. In view of current affairs, it seems that darkness has covered the world, so I thought I would explore what darkness really means.  In a world that celebrates light, progress, and visibility, darkness often carries an aura of fear, mystery, or even negativity. Yet, to fully embrace life’s journey, it is essential to recognize that darkness plays an important role. Darkness is not an enemy, but partners with light for rest, growth, and transformation.

The Purpose of Darkness in Creation and Growth

From the very beginning, darkness has held a sacred place in creation. In Genesis, the Bible recounts that before the universe came into form, there was darkness over the surface of the deep, and it was from this void that God began the work of creation. This foundational narrative underscores an important principle: life, beauty, and purpose emerge out of formlessness and emptiness.

Nature shows us how darkness fosters growth in countless ways. A seed planted in the earth does not flourish under the glare of the sun but in the cool, nurturing embrace of the soil. It is in the darkness that the seed germinates and begins its journey toward life. Similarly, the miracle of life begins in the womb’s darkness, where a child is knit together, safe from the external world until it is strong enough to be born.

This pattern repeats in the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Within the chrysalis—a place of stillness and solitude—the caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation. The process is not immediate or visible. It submits to its natural process and faith in what it does not yet see. When the butterfly emerges, it requires the sun to strengthen its wings and set it free, leaving the remnants of its cocoon as witness to its transformation.

bulb and crysalis painting

Seasons of Darkness in Human Life

Human life, too, moves through cycles of darkness and light. The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 that there is a time for everything—a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. Understanding this rhythm helps us navigate the seasons of life. Darkness often signifies a season of waiting, introspection, or transformation. Like a snow-covered field lying dormant in winter, these times of stillness prepare us for the flourishing that will come in spring.

"—a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 

However, waiting for change can feel interminable. During these times, it is tempting to despair, to believe that the darkness will never lift. Yet, as Psalm 27:14 encourages, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” In the silence, God’s presence can be discerned more clearly, as our souls learn to listen and grow in faith.

 

The Dark Night of the Soul

The journey through darkness is not without its challenges. Theologians and mystics have long spoken of the “Dark Night of the Soul,” a profound spiritual crisis in which one feels unseen and abandoned by God, even doubting His existence. This experience, though painful, often leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and the divine.

In such moments, chaos and confusion may reign, and old wounds resurface. It is in these times of anguish that God’s voice can be heard most clearly, whispering, “Let it go.” The past, like the husk of a seed or the shell of a chrysalis, must be shed for new life to emerge. Letting go and forgiveness becomes the key to moving forward—both forgiving others and seeking forgiveness for ourselves.

Darkness and Redemption

Jesus’ journey to the cross provides a powerful example of how darkness was overcome and led to redemption for those who believe. The three hours of darkness that fell over the earth during His crucifixion marked not an end, but a pivotal moment in the story of salvation. “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” In the shadows of Golgotha, the work of redemption was completed, culminating in the dawn of resurrection on the third day.

This interplay of darkness and light continues in the lives of Jesus’ followers. Saul’s transformation on the road to Damascus demonstrates this. Blinded by the intense light of Christ’s revelation, Saul entered three days of literal and spiritual darkness. During this time, he confronted his past, repented, and emerged as Paul—a new creation ready to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. His journey reminds us that the pathway to spiritual enlightenment often leads through the valley of shadow.

Darkness with a baby in the womb

Embracing Darkness as Part of the Journey

To walk in the light does not mean avoiding darkness; it means recognizing its role in our journey. Isaiah 45:7 declares, “I form the light and create darkness; I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” This acknowledgment that God is present in both light and dark challenges us to trust Him in all seasons. Even when we think, surely God can’t be in this!

Even in moments of shadow, God’s plan is unfolding. Isaiah 58:8 promises, “Your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Like a pilgrim on a long journey, we must carry only what is necessary, leaving behind the baggage of regret and fear. The lighter we travel, the faster we can go, every step forward brings us closer to the light of restoration.

Painting of the clock night and day

The Dance of Light and Shadow

Light and shadow are not opposites; they are complements. Greater light creates deeper shadows, and it is in this contrast that beauty is revealed. As the psalmist declares, “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Each dawn reminds us that darkness is temporary—a necessary part of the cycle that leads to growth and joy.

For those on the pilgrimage of faith, darkness is not something to be feared but embraced as a tool for transformation. In the stillness of night, we rest and renew. Acknowledging our shadows, we are more aware when they affect our thinking. So, we grow stronger and are better prepared to deal with whatever the new day may bring.

Walking Forward in Faith through the Dark

As we navigate the interplay of light and darkness, we can draw strength from the knowledge that God is with us in every season. He brings order from chaos and purpose from pain. When we surrender to the process, allowing the darkness to refine and shape us, we emerge stronger and more attuned to His will.

The journey of faith is not a straight line from light to light, but a winding path through shadow and sunlight. By embracing the darkness as a necessary part of life, we open ourselves to the fullness of growth, healing, and renewal. Just as the butterfly soars into the sky after emerging from its cocoon, so can we too step boldly into the light, carrying with us the wisdom gained through the darkness.

If you enjoyed this blog and would like read more, as well as the poetry I write for these blogs, please sign up for my newsletter at the top of this page.

If you would like to explore more about environmental rejuvenation, spiritual harmony, and sustainable living in our journey towards a brighter, greener future. In the months ahead, I will share a poem, featuring a specific tree or plant, and a painting with you. Please subscribe to my monthly newsletter as I will feature the poem in it. Additionally, I can offer you a coloring poster to help you identify your needs, boundaries, weeds, and future seeds. This is a meditative exercise, giving you time to slow down and think about these things. Get this here.

Poster to color in

 

 

4 Comments

  1. Lin Barrie
    Lin Barrie on March 28, 2025 at 11:28 am

    Love tour blog …. the darker the shadow the brighter the light…

    Reply
    • Deryn
      Deryn on March 28, 2025 at 11:36 am

      Thank You! Yes, we are going through some dark times right now, so once the other side the light should be really bright:)

      Reply
  2. Kelsey Light
    Kelsey Light on June 23, 2025 at 8:07 pm

    Hope-filled and inspirational.

    Reply
    • Deryn
      Deryn on June 24, 2025 at 12:33 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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