I mentioned in a sermon some weeks ago the song by Christian singer Steve Taylor, “It’s Harder to Believe Than Not To.” There are times in my life when I realize just how true its lyrics are. Dark clouds are gathering over our nation and our society. Attitudes of racism and sexism, once rightly driven underground out of shame, are becoming acceptable and commonplace again. Hatred and fear of the other is becoming the norm and it is Christians who are often at the forefront of this tidal wave of evil. One friend of mine, a lifelong Christian, has recently all but renounced her faith and it is harder and harder to defend against the often-correct critiques of my growing circle of atheist and non-believer friends towards our religion.
Add to that the encroachment of other evils. Disease seems to be a growing problem in our small community. At Canadochly, we’ve buried two of our most respected and beloved members in the past six months and I know Pastor Schneider has had more than his fair share of funerals at St. John's. Now, at Canadochly, there are two more of our extended family battling life-threatening illnesses as well as at least one prominent member of St. John’s. I’ve spent much of this year battling my own health problems. As if one tidal wave were not enough, another swells.
There are times when it is hard to keep hopeful in the face of darkness. It is so tempting to throw up one’s hands and surrender to it, to give into the hate, anger, and fear ourselves. Despair is a potent enemy indeed. It blinds us to the truth, makes evil appear as good, and can take us down roads we will long regret once we come back to our senses. To paraphrase Star Wars, the road of despair is “quicker, easier, and more seductive,” but it is not better or stronger.
The most powerful truth that despair can blind us to is the constant presence of God in our lives. As the Psalmist reminds us, even the most evil of times cannot hide us away from the God who loves us: “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
There are times when it is hard to keep hopeful in the face of darkness. It is so tempting to throw up one’s hands and surrender to it, to give into the hate, anger, and fear ourselves. Despair is a potent enemy indeed. It blinds us to the truth, makes evil appear as good, and can take us down roads we will long regret once we come back to our senses. To paraphrase Star Wars, the road of despair is “quicker, easier, and more seductive,” but it is not better or stronger.
The most powerful truth that despair can blind us to is the constant presence of God in our lives. As the Psalmist reminds us, even the most evil of times cannot hide us away from the God who loves us: “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
In some ways, it is perhaps fitting that I wrestle with these thoughts at the dawn of the Halloween season. This macabre holiday has its origins in an often forgotten church tradition that was meant to dispel despair and evil with laughter and mockery. The whole tradition of costuming on Halloween was to taunt the devil and his allies, to make light of our fears and reveal them for the false threats that they are. “You think you’re scary? Ha! Look at what we can do! You are nothing.”
Boo!
God’s presence reminds us that our fears are illusory. For what is the power of evil, in our society, our lives, or in our bodies, to his might and compassion towards us? He is the one who crafted the stars and galaxies and yet offers himself for our sake, to give us life and love and joy. He who offered up his own son so that death could no longer truly harm us is the one who stands by us through thick and thin.
The one reason it is often hard to believe is how alone we can feel when despair creeps in. But we are never alone. God is always present, always quick to grant strength and comfort in time of need. There is a defiant element to faith. As the storm clouds gather within and without, we can stand tall against any and all threats. We can stand tall because we do not stand alone. God stands with us, now and always.
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