Darkness
the REST of the week #112 (reprise of #8)
Do you rest better in a dark room?
We commonly connect the ideas of discouragement and despair with darkness, as opposed to light (which dispels darkness). But there is a place for darkness and there is a darkness that fosters rest.
From a physical perspective, darkness is necessary for rest. Darkness signals our body to increase melatonin levels which in turn promotes muscle relaxation, a drop in body temperature, and a state of drowsiness.
But what about soul rest?
Maybe there’s a deeper rest to be experienced in the darkness—in that midst of those uncomfortable feelings that arise when we don’t have all the answers and we aren’t sure what’s around the corner, or what to do next.
Consider these words from the prophet Isaiah (50:10-11)):
“If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and arm yourselves by your own fires… you will soon fall down in great torment.”
We could have a whole Bible study putting these words in their context, but for now, I just want two absorb two truths:
First, there are going to be times when we walk in darkness—times we can’t see where we are or what’s coming next. We may feel disappointed, discouraged, confused, or even a little lost.
This darkness creates the opportunity to trust God and rely on him to guide us through. There isn’t any need to trust God when everything is clear, understandable, and bright.
Could it be that the invitation tucked into dark times creates the opportunity for deeper rest as we let go of stress/worry/fear/irritation/anger and just trust the unknown, worries, our very selves—and everyone else—to God?
Second, there is a light that is not helpful or good. It is the light we create ourselves, driven to hang on to control, to manage our fear and worry by ourselves. This is the fire that plays the role of idol, keeping us from relying on God.
Felling the darkness gets our attention and also makes space for us to know God more intimately, to know Jesus as our comforter.
And, this is where we come full circle. Resting in him, he becomes our Light—banishing the darkness.
May your rest be sweet.
Alicia