Modern Nativity: The Light

-Rev. Ashley Sherard-
 
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life,[a] and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
John 1:1-5

Death and Darkness
 
My husband died.  It was awful.  I didn’t know he was going to die, neither did he.  It was dark, oh so dark, when he died.  

In the days and months after he died I refused to see the light, I had no desire for the light, I wanted darkness but I could not have it.  Every moment that passed, every tear that fell, every dream I had to lay to rest, was glimmering with this awful, tormenting, teasing light.  I wanted to scream.

The light shines in darkness, it cannot be driven out by darkness, it certainly wasn’t for me.  Because the light was with me and within me God continued to relentlessly pursue me through the darkness.  He reminded me of Jesus in the wilderness and that the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to endure 40 days of hell, it wasn’t darkness that led him to that place it was light.  And in that dark wilderness the light continued to shine as Jesus fought Satan with the Word of God - the light.  

There is light in all things. I have lived in darkness and fought the sparkling edges of my dark feelings until one day my heart, my mind, my soul, was alive with the light and love of God through Jesus Christ.  Darkness will never extinguish the light no matter how much you think you want the darkness or fight the light.

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God, help us find the light in our darkness.  When there is nothing but blackness for as long as the eye can see be the lighthouse the beckons us to shore.  Help us see your light in all things, Amen.

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Rev. Ashley Sherard is the Pastor of Beechwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in French Lick, IN.  She has been the Pastor at Beechwood for approximately two months and is loving every minute of getting to know this vibrant faith community.
Ashley is the mother of three amazing little girls who have been her greatest strength and driving force. ​

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