Jan
22
2021
Pushing Back The Darkness
Posted in Daily Living 15 Comments
It is a common statement.
It is said quite often.
It is stated as fact.
It is said to ensure that we are not alone.
I have had it said to me in the grocery store.
I have had it said to me in small talk as I wait in line, six feet apart.
It seems to be the new go-to talking point.
It comes soon after, How are you?
These are hard times.
Hard times used to refer to the Depression Era.
Now it is referring to a year of shutdowns, lockdowns, and quarantines.
It is the statement that best defines this past year for most of us.
Even if the virus has not affected you personally, you know someone who was affected.
We all know someone who has died from Covid.
We all know people who are terribly afraid of this disease.
We all have had our lives turned upside down and nothing seems normal anymore.
Everyone has their own opinion as to how to handle Covid.
It is easy to make decisions from an armchair.
It is quite difficult to make decisions that affect a nation.
It is even more daunting to think that this virus is affecting everyone around the world.
These are hard times, the woman said in the grocery store.
That statement can be agreed upon; however, it is the next sentence that makes it challenging.
The next sentence usually has to do with government policies.
It often turns to a discussion about who is right and who is wrong.
I found myself answering with something I have been pondering.
The woman looked at me.
I agree with you 100%, she said emphatically when I finished.
It wasn’t that I needed her agreement, but she resonated with the words.
I will not get into a political debate.
It is not productive.
It does not solve anything.
Laying out an alternative is what I have been doing.
How I wish we all could love each other well, I said to her.
How I wish that we could treat each other with respect and dignity.
If only we focused on our little corner of the world, and loved those in front of us.
It really shouldn’t be this hard!
I agree with you 100%, she said.
I see all sorts of people in this store.
Some are easier to love than others.
Sometimes it’s even hard to be kind, she explained.
It really isn’t about “us” and “them,” I added.
We are all, “us” and we are all in this together.
I looked at her face.
You are so right, she said with a smile.
I wanted to rub my hands together, to proclaim that we solved the problems of the world.
But it’s not that simple.
However, simplicity is a start.
It is a beginning.
…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you…(1 Thessalonians 4:11)
What does it mean to live a quiet life?
Does it mean that you keep your head down and never engage with anyone or anything?
What does it mean to mind your own business?
Does it mean that unless it touches your doorstep, you don’t care?
A quiet life is a simple life.
It is getting up and taking care of those who God has put in your life.
It is working diligently at the task that is before you.
It is teaching, encouraging, and admonishing, if need be, all to God’s glory.
Minding our own business takes time.
Our life is full of things that God has called us to do.
We don’t have time to look at what this one or that one is doing.
That is why social media is such a huge distraction.
Social media keep our eyes everywhere but home.
It keeps our focus on everything else.
It tempts us to compare.
It causes us to be discontent.
What if we rebelled?
Not with violence or with a total ban, since like everything else, social media has its merits.
What if we consistently pushed back the darkness?
What if we continuously poured beauty into the world to illuminate rather than cast a shadow?
Making beautiful art is a way to rebel.
Telling beautiful stories is a way to push back the darkness.
Singing beautiful songs is a way to remember and dispel gloom.
Doing beautiful acts of kindness and compassion seed the ground for more beauty.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
(Charles Dickens)
We often live our lives with an either/ or kind of attitude.
However, if we are honest, it is often a both/ and situation.
It can be the best of times and the worst of times at the same time.
It can be best and worst on the same day.
God, in His Sovereignty, rules.
God, in His Wisdom, teaches.
God, in His Mercy, saves.
God, in His great Love, redeems.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
These are hard times.
These are good times.
These are God’s times.
He will work all things together for our good and His glory.
Do you love Him?
Have you been called according to His purpose?
What beauty can you put into the world to push back the darkness?
THAT is the best way to rebel.
Thank you, AGAIN, Gina!!! Amen!!!
Pam,
You and I can say, “Amen,” together!
Blessings,
Gina
So true, so true. The only thing we must do is to remember that God is in control. We must always remain in the Light.
Thank you, Sherie.
Yes, Estelle.
Remain in His Light!
God is still on His throne.
Gina
Amen.
So true! We need to bring light, not darkness, into the world…We need our thoughts and actions to bring glory to God. (I’m glad you mentioned making art as a way to rebel –I’m doing that often!)
I know, Sue.
You add so much beauty to the world by your creativity.
Press on!
Gina
Philippians 4:8
Finally , brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.
Amen, Carol!
Philippians 4:8 is very precious to me.
Blessings,
Gina
Frank and I have stopped watching news right now and have signed off Facebook. There is too much negative “incoming”. Put on your armor of faith and keep your eyes heavenward! We look forward to your blog Gina and Frank still says, “It is Gina Day”!
Nancy,
What an encouragement you and Frank are to me.
How lovely that you look forward to Whispers every Tuesday and Friday.
I, too, find the need to be still and quiet amidst the din.
Gina
Amen and many more amens! God has each of us where we are today, even in a dark world surrounding us. Jesus told us clearly in John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” May he be the Light and Love that shines through us, one day at a time and for his glory and purposes!
Yes, Carolyn!
We will have trouble in this broken world, but we know the One who is victorious!
We desperately cling to Him!
Gina
Beautiful. Thank you, Gina.
Susie,
I am delighted you were blessed.
We really have to be intentional about pushing back the darkness.
How else will the world see the Light?
Gina