Surviving this ‘dark night’ of humanity’s soul
What is the Dark Night of the Soul?
A void. Darkness in the absence of light.
So deep and full of nothingness, it blinds us. In our blindness we cannot see light or hope. Hope fades as the future we once planned evaporates.
Fear grows in this dark night, as we become isolated and paralysed. Isolated from people we love. Paralysed with fear of the unknown. Facing a mountain of uncertainty. Battle weary and unable to climb.
Sound familiar?
As humanity experiences the prolonged suffering of this global pandemic, I wonder whether you have ever seen so many people experiencing their “dark night of the soul” at the same time. Another day brings more news stories of sorrow and unimaginable heart ache. Waves of trauma have crashed over our world. Death, sickness, unemployment, domestic violence, mass loneliness, suicides, social fabric destabilised, anger, depression.
Surely our world is facing the “dark night of humanity’s soul”!
The essence of our humanity is being tested to the limits — the good increasing their determination to help this world, the bad equally intensifying in reaping evil. It just feels like the light cannot break through!
How does humanity survive?
I don’t know. But I know One who does.
The Creator God who said “Let there be light” and the darkness was separated from the light.
The Father in Heaven who sent his only Son to die for our sins and is seated at the Father’s right hand petitioning for humanity’s soul.
The Good Shepherd who is with us through the valley of the shadow of death so that we should not fear evil.
The God of Angel Armies who wrestled the enemy of our soul and victoriously retrieved the keys, so the gates of hell have no power over us.
The Righteous Judge who is seated on the throne, seeing all and knowing all, loving mercy and establishing justice.
The Lamb of God who reminds us that our present suffering does not compare to the glory that will be revealed in us.
The Lion of Judah who fights for us and protects us.
The Sovereign King of Kings who has kept a room for us, numbers our days here on earth and will wipe away every tear.
The God Eternal who was before time and is after time and sets eternity in the hearts of man.
The God of Love who shed blood on the cross that by His stripes we may be healed.
The God our Healer for nations who will humble themselves, pray and turn from our wicked ways.
The God of Miracles who said we who believe would do greater things than Jesus.
The Great I Am who said all things work together for good to those who believe and are called according to His purposes.
The Light of the World who stepped down into our darkness that we may never be without God’s light.
We survive by simply believing again in who God says he is.
Not only by believing for him to save us and and make a way — he already has. Believing in the character of who God is — loving, kind, faithful, powerful, just.
Simply following him in quiet trust and surrender — laying down an ego-driven image of our future, what we think we deserve.
Simply following his instructions to us: to love our God and love our neighbour. Pandemic or not. Dark night of humanity’s soul or not. Only God can turn our ashes into beauty AND he wants to!
Simply follow Jesus to Father God.
We survive humanity’s dark night of the soul by simply believing in God. You have everything to gain, in the middle of pain and loss — why not answer God’s invitation for a relationship with Him today.
I read this to my 8 yr old daughter, Angelique who summarised: “If you follow God, light will come. Darkness is what we fear when we stop believing in a Holy God of light.” Indeed.
For more christian encouragement see: www.danceagain.live
