The Light

This week I have had a number of messages and suggestions revolving around a theme of light so I thought I should explore it a little, embrace the light maybe...

"Sickening, weakening

Don't let another sombre pariah consume your soul

You need strengthening, toughening

It takes an inner dark to rekindle the fire burning in you

Ignite the fire within you

When you think all is forsaken

Listen to me now (all is not forsaken)

You need never feel broken again

Sometimes darkness can show you the light

Don't ignore, listen to me now (all is not forsaken)

You need never feel broken again

Sometimes darkness

Can show you the light"  

by Disturbed - The Light 

These lyrics stood out for me the other day and reminded me that sometimes, we need to be in a dark place in order for us to appreciate how good the light is. Being in the dark is also a time where we can see where the source of light is, even if it is only a speck way off in the distance but we can at least identify the direction we should be heading to be able to relish the light again. "It takes an inner dark to rekindle the fire burning in you," sounds quite sinister but the truth is that sometimes we need to be in a really bad space in order to trigger (rekindle) that desire to be great again, to pursue those things that motivate us. I don't believe those fires ever really go out; perhaps diminished or just far from your mind, but never completely out. The busyness of living overshadows what you really want to be doing and you neglect fuelling your inner fire. Stop! Check where you are. Is the light just beginning to fade, maybe an almost indistinguishable fade if you didn't stop to observe it? Perhaps you are already in a space of complete darkness without even realising that you have drifted so far? Maybe you have already set your focus back onto the light and are journeying back again? We all do this journey many times over through our lives and unfortunately the journey into the dark can be traumatic and full of pain but every so often we have to stop ourselves, even before "you think all is forsaken", and find out where the light is and redirect our efforts towards the light. Perhaps you have sufficient light to be able to guide someone else out of their darkness - do it. Even the smallest flame pierces through the darkest night.

Don't wait till you are in complete darkness as the journey back will just be unnecessarily longer than it needs to be. Start now, revel in the light.

Those with a Christian ethos, can also appreciate the symbolism here of dark and light and the constant spiritual battle that wages on. This too is a constant journey into and out of God's light. Not because of Him but because of our actions and attitudes in this life. Choose to be in the light.