An old adage states, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” It’s a sentiment that is still applicable in our times.
It seems that apathy is, paradoxically, disturbing the peace and order of the world today. This state of mind is defeatism in disguise, capitulating to discord, disorder, and defeat without even joining the battle. But there is another option. Even in the midst of the darkest dark, we can always choose light.
There is a spiritual basis and mandate for choosing hope and light in the beginning of the Bible: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).
Expounding on this, Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, wrote, “‘Let there be light,’ is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 255).
The light of our faithful, loving God – of divine Truth and Love – is the remedy for all human woe. It reveals divine law, ordained and upheld by God. God’s laws are inviolable, constant, forever producing good, because He is infinitely good. As God’s children, emanating from divine Spirit, we are entirely spiritual and live under God’s law of goodness and harmony.
But what does this have to do with overcoming darkness?
We can each make a difference by choosing what we will follow and hold to: apathy or earnestness of spirit, defeatism or hope, pessimism or joyful expectancy. We can take those positive qualities beyond wishful thinking or blind faith by seeking the light of Christ, which Jesus so perfectly exemplified, and living it to the fullest in our daily life.
This opens our eyes to the spiritual fact that God’s goodness and harmony cannot be extinguished, and this gives us the victory over apathy and discouragement – bettering our own lives as well as the lives of those around us.
There was a time in my life when I suddenly lost all that I held dear. I felt helpless, hopeless, and heartbroken. It seemed as if I had nothing left except the choice to turn to God.
As I did so, the inspiration came that God, good, was directing my life and setting me on a new path. I saw there was nothing to fear, because God is the source of limitless goodness. For weeks and months I struggled, but there was always the gentle hand of God reaching out, comforting and sustaining me.
Something that repeatedly came to me was this verse from the “Christian Science Hymnal”:
Trust the Eternal when the shadows gather,
When joys of daylight seem so like a dream;
God the unchanging pities like a father;
Trust on and wait, the daystar yet shall gleam.
(William P. McKenzie, No. 359)
I felt so clearly that God was empowering me to know the light and peace of divine Love that God had ordained for me – for everyone. Day by day I faithfully and actively chose to tenaciously hold to the good, the pure, the shining love of God. The gentle leading of divine Love was transforming my thought.
Then one day it felt as if I had just woken up. I was free and I’ve never experienced that darkness again. (You can read more about this healing in my article “Filled up or fulfilled?” in the Aug. 19, 2024, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.)
The Christ light is always here to guide us through the darkest of days, whether in our own life or in the world. We can choose to embrace this light, which God commands to shine in our hearts, and which counters defeatism, apathy, and hopelessness. Then we see and experience its healing effect.
