No darkness lasts forever. And even there, there are stars.
If you evade suffering, you also evade the chance of joy.
Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) was an American author who achieved success in the realm of science fiction as well as fantasy.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Walking without light
Actions filled with sin
False gods and idols
Faith absent within
Living in darkness
Gloom filled with torment
God’s conquered people
Called now to repent
Hearing prophet’s call
Shadows hidden theft
Nation’s ember glows
God has never left
Seeing promised grace
Filled with renewed hope
Evil crawls away
Faith grasps mercy’s rope
Easing life’s burdens
True light’s beating drum
Fear replaced with joy
Darkness overcome
From Isaiah 9:4: “For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, You have broken as on the day of Midian.”
The only way to get what you really want is to let go of what you don’t want.
Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.
Iyanla Vanzant (born 1953) is an American inspirational speaker, author, and television personality.
Candlelight reaches into darkness
Lasting symbol of perseverance
Winter’s persistent cold approaches
Gallant and stalwart hearts warm within
Interrupted basic needs of life
Power, heat, and water sometimes dwindle
Daily tension builds, never leaving
Terror rains down from harsh sky above
Civilians facing frequent attacks
Resilience shadows endless fear
Taking nothing today for granted
Blessed gratitude for another day
Nation’s spirit remains vigilant
Looking ahead to final breakthrough
Coldest darkness shall be overcome
Determined faces tell the world so
Always looking toward tomorrow
Morning’s light, never cast away
Everlasting dreams of victory
Proud people keep freedom’s fire glowing
Calling out to fellow world nations
Never forget lessons we teach you
The journey of a vicious and unforgiving war in Ukraine has touched countless people in profound ways. May a compassionate world continue to pray for this nation. The spirit of freedom and self-determination survives each and every day.
Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.
From Psalm 32:5: “Then I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”
August Wilson (1945-2005) was an American playwright, who was honored to receive the Pulitzer Prize in Drama twice in 1987 and 1990. He has been referred to as the “theater’s poet of Black America.”
From Isaiah 1:4: “Woe, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who act corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!”
Rebels and sinners
Destroying mankind
Forsaking our Lord
Always running blind
Evil filled with sin
Facing God’s high court
Shamming His guidance
Always falling short
His wrath pouring out
Avenging life’s foes
Consuming darkness
Always Father knows
Zion falls empty
Trampling God no more
Heeding to listen
Always grace to pour
Savior born on earth
Wielding Gospel’s might
Sharing His mercy
Always Christ’s daylight
From Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: If your sins are like scarlet, will they become like snow? If they are red like crimson, will they become like wool?”
Gallant ship at risk
Battered by stormy seas
Crew now in peril
Bringing all to their knees
Wayward direction
No other help about
Lost in dark tempest
Navigating with doubt
Evil’s doom waiting
Chaos stirring despair
Waves follow waves
Growling like hungry bears
Hope draining away
Gloomy clouds hiding day
Erratic compass
Searching for tranquil bay
Turmoil faced alone
Unwelcome darkness roams
Light ahead invites
Sailing toward safety’s home
Beacon now fading
Promise dwindles away
Tomorrow postponed
Surrendering its way
It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5: “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.”
From Psalm 97:10-11: “You who love the Lord, hate evil; He guards the lives of His faithful; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.”
Surrounding darkness
Evil’s world abounds
Life’s hesitation
Sinful, barking sounds
Playing with evil
Like kitchen’s hot stove
Waiting to burn us
Consuming faith’s grove
Hearing Father’s Word
Explicit warning
Hate evil, love God
Righteous good morning
Evil’s deception
Ignore its calling
Turning from darkness
Sinful flesh falling
Life’s new page opens
His goodness unfolds
Sprinting to daylight
Safe in God’s stronghold
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When we learn to hate evil, we learn to love what God loves.”
From Daniel 12:1-3: “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Darkness invades man’s world
Painful times filled with loss
Perilous tragedies
Yet, hope calls from one Cross
Shattering brokenness
Heartache knowing no end
Grieving trauma scalds hearts
Yet, hope shall never bend
Prophets carry message
Few bothering to hear
Lasting shame and contempt
Yet, hope’s time coming near
God’s promises hold truth
Times of anguish shall fade
Deliverance knocking
Hope in darkness, now paid
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Big Sky Buckeye 