By Deryn
Jan 27, 2025
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Family stories are, perhaps, our own memorial stones. They remind us of who we are. They steady us when life becomes uncertain. And they help us understand that history is never merely something behind us; it continues to live quietly within us.
We are not separate from the past; we are shaped by it. The lives of those who came before us have influenced the world we now inhabit, just as our own lives will influence those who come after.
History is often described as the story of power, how it rises, shifts, and reshapes societies. Yet power does not move only through governments and armies. It moves quietly through families, through the opportunities and losses that shape the paths of individual lives.
When we tell these stories, we remember that history is not distant or abstract. It is personal.
Love tour blog …. the darker the shadow the brighter the light…
Thank You! Yes, we are going through some dark times right now, so once the other side the light should be really bright:)
Hope-filled and inspirational.
Thank you!