How much light is needed to illumine the darkness?

Southern Missouri is laced with limestone caverns. Some are huge and quite the tourist attraction while others are small and frequented only by bats and boy scouts. A common guide routine is to take a group into these smaller caverns, deep into the earth and far away from any light source. Then the guide will ask that all light be extinguished.

"Most of us will never know how dark the world can seem

When life becomes more nightmare than a dream.

So to all of you who have survived a visit to the edge

I trust that you will understand this pledge."

 

"I promise I will always leave the darkness for the light.

I swear by all that's holy that I will not give up the fight.

I'll drink of death like water before I ever come again

To that dark place where I might make the choice for life to end."

It's not just dark, it is the complete and total absence of light. There is not a little light, there is no light. Your eyes have nothing gather in, nothing to see. Disorientation comes quickly as do nervous giggles. We strain and struggle to find the light. None exists... and fear begins. You can't see others and they can't see you. Maybe in our fear, we would close our eyes and cover our face with our hands. Doing so doesn't make any apparent difference: there is no light.

"I find that as I've traveled through the inscape of my life.

That mountain tops make valleys in between.

And when that nameless sadness like a cloud goes over me

I look back on all that brightness I have seen."

 

"I promise I will always leave the darkness for the light.

I swear by all that's holy that I will not give up the fight.

I'll drink of death like water before I ever come again

To that dark place where I might make the choice for life to end."

And then the guide will light a match. One match.

And by lighting that one match, the darkness disappears. What was unrelieved dark is shown to be just rocks and water. And there stands the guide.

"And realize that though my world might seem so torn apart.

Most often it is joy that breaks the heart.

And that I am the richest man though I must beg for bread

For the very One who might condemn has called me friend instead."

 

"I promise I will always leave the darkness for the light.

I swear by all that's holy that I will not give up the fight.

I'll drink of death like water before I ever come again

To that dark place where I might make the choice for life to end."

"The Edge" by Michael Card and Phil Naish

from Poiema

by Michael Card

Lord, we ask that you allow us to reflect your light into the eyes of those who today see only darkness.

Lord, we ask that you gently remove the hands from their faces and softly open their eyes that they might see your light.

Lord, we ask that once again you let them know what it is to be your friend.

Lord, we ask that you teach us the same lesson, that we may strengthen ourselves in your love.

Lord, we ask these things knowing that you are faithful and have promised to be with us in our struggles.

Amen.