Darkness of the Night

Last night, as I laid down on my bed before going to sleep, I couldn't help but notice how dark my room was. There were no night lights, curtains were closed, nor were there any light seeping in from under the doorway. Soon after I laid down, my eyes adjusted and I was accustomed to the darkness that surrounded me. Abruptly, the moon light beamed through the cracks from the curtains onto my eyes. I couldn't help but squint and shift away from the light, as would anyone else in that situation when trying to rest.

From that experience, it dawned to me how quickly we adjust to the darkness around us. When we walk into a room that is completely dark, it will take us no more than a minute or two for us to adjust. Once we've adjusted, we can move around freely as if we were in the dark. But when the lights suddenly turn on, we will be blinded by its brightness and freeze in order to readjust our eyes.

Similarly, in our spiritual life, we will also get used to the darkness that is in this world. No matter the situation, we will always be surrounded by the darkness. Even after returning from spiritual convocations, seminars, or any church cultivations, we will have to face the darkness in this world. Once in darkness, if we do not keep a pure and holy life (praying daily, reading the bible, keeping God's commandments), we will become used to the darkness around us and think of it as a norm. We must not forget, we "are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" and he has called us "out of darkness into this wonderful light" (1 Pet 2:9). Therefore, we must keep a close watch of ourselves and not be consumed by the darkness. Once we're consumed, we will not know what we are doing, spiritually speaking, since the darkness will have blinded us by then (cc. 1 Jn 2:11).

If you find yourself living in the dark, it is not too late to back out. Just turn away and draw yourself back to God. It will not be easy, but it is not impossible. When we turn back to God, we may feel ashamed and it may feel uncomfortable, since we are used to our old life style. But know that that is the right path. And while things may feel peculiar when we've turned back, it is only because we have been in the darkness for far too long and when we approach God, there is no darkness in Him (1 Jn 1:5).

Stop waiting! Don't become complacent in the cold of the dark and draw into the warmth of the light!