Tenebrae, Part 2: Overcoming Darkness

Yesterday's news disappointed lots of people. No matter how many times we tell ourselves not to get bent out of shape over election results, it's tough to rally when things don't go the way we’d hoped.

On top of that, Daylight Saving Time ended this past weekend, wreaking havoc with light lovers who don’t know what to do with long stretches of darkness.

We know election cycles are what they are. We know midterms usually go against the prevailing party. Most importantly, we know God is in control, no matter who holds the reins of power. 

We also know spring will come eventually, daytime hours will lengthen, and we won’t be engulfed in gloomy weather indefinitely.

Nevertheless, after clocks were changed and votes counted, many could relate to the author of Psalm 88.

While psalmists often open their songs with extreme despair, hope usually returns by the end. In contrast, the final word in Psalm 88 is darkness.

Darkness. 

It's a familiar place. Few of us get through this life without feelings of hopelessness at times. Sometimes those periods seem interminable. It's the human condition, and Jesus experienced it, too. Mark 8:12 says at one point the Son of God “sighed deeply in his spirit.”

Folks, things were about to get even darker for our savior.

His was deeper and darker than any despondency we could ever imagine, because he was preparing to take the punishment for humanity's sins and be forsaken by God for a time.

Anyone who’s ever been to a Maundy Thursday or Good Friday church service knows how the writer of Psalm 88 felt and has a taste of what Jesus experienced in the last hours of his earthly life. Known as Tenebrae services, these events are somber to say the least. Music is solemn and otherworldly; anxiety builds as Christ’s literal and figurative trek towards the cross is recounted; lights are progressively dimmed until the whole sanctuary is plunged into darkness. The congregation exits in silence, pondering the fate of the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world to atone for the sins of humanity.

But Tenebrae services are only part of Holy Week. Christ’s death culminates in his resurrection on Easter Sunday. He fulfills his mission as the light of the world and commands his followers to shine for him.

Tenebrae is just a precursor to Resurrection Sunday, and this life is only a precursor to eternal life.

Even so, how do we live in God’s light during times of darkness?

I’ve discussed this topic in other articles, but let me add a few thoughts.

For one thing, we must recognize that seasons are just that: cyclical periods of time that aren’t permanent.

Election seasons are going to come and go. People who did not vote for leaders they consider undesirable have to live with the choices of those who did. There’s always someone on the losing end, and some periods are going to seem darker than others. It’s important to remember that there’s always light shining somewhere.

Which brings me to how to deal with darkness that becomes overwhelming.

It’s important to remember the big picture. The God of the universe isn’t “wringing his hands” – to quote Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley – when life on earth gets messy. First of all, it’s been messy ever since a certain party ate a certain piece of fruit in a certain garden. Muck and mire may grieve the Lord, but it doesn’t stymie him. The Bible says, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11). This means his will is going to be done one way or the other. Humans can either go along with it or fight it, but one day all will bow to his holiness.

Therefore, our response to situations that distress us is to look beyond what’s in front of us. Remember the two men gazing out from prison bars? One saw mud; the other saw stars. Both were in a heap of trouble, but one looked down and the other looked up.

When life on earth ends, believers will be transported to eternal glory with the King of kings and Lord of lords. In the meantime, the Christian’s calling is very simple:

Get up. Get out of bed. Don’t let fear immobilize and affect what needs to be done.

Suit up. Put on the armor of God and put in a good day’s work.

Sit up and pay attention. Don’t hide from ugly facts, but don’t wallow in them, either.

Speak up. Refuse to be silenced. Speak the truth, even when it’s unpopular.

Rise up. Don’t go along to get along. Stand for what’s right, even when it’s costly. Heroes have done so in the past; that’s how they became heroes.

Of course, it’s not easy. That’s why heroes are so few and far between. But do we want future generations to remember us shutting down in depression and shutting up in fear – or showing up to fight another day?

By God’s grace, let us be found fighting the darkness.