Keeping the faith: Together, we can shine a light into the darkness

I come from a faith tradition that is all about reframing tragedy.

Think about it: Christianity’s origin story begins with the Roman Empire executing our leader through crucifixion on a cross — their state-sanctioned form of capital punishment.

Although we acknowledge that Jesus died on that cross, we believe he was buried and rose from the dead three days later. We completely reframe this horrible execution as “good news.” We call ours a resurrection faith. We are resurrection people. We wear crosses as a sign of hope. We sing songs about the joy we feel at the foot of the cross.

You may think this is strange, but we believe that out of utter tragedy comes beautiful new life.

Hold this thought. I will return to it.

Right now, we are facing tough times. Individuals and institutions are under attack. Trust in those who hold leadership positions has reached an all-time low in almost every field of work.

Since the pandemic began 2 ½ years ago, I have witnessed the regression of relationships and a growing sense of loneliness which has led multitudes of people down twisted paths of isolation and division. Frankly, I think people have forgotten how to talk with each other. Civility has slipped away in Zoom rooms and the separated nature of our “new normal.” I believe we have hit rock bottom in some of our most treasured and valued institutions and circles of friendship.

It feels like we are walking in darkness with no light around us. But into the darkness comes the light of God.

In the Gospel of John, the author writes of Jesus, “In him was life and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).

Themes of light overcoming darkness and new life overcoming tragedy moves into our lives through the power of holy scripture. It happens time and time again.

I believe that by the standards of the faith we proclaim, Christians should be leading the way — rising, shining and thriving in the darkest and toughest times. We should be applying our reframing resurrection faith principles and values to point toward a bright new day. I believe we should be leading the way forward based on our foundations of faith.

I don’t think enough Christians have reached this point, yet.

We have too often given into the darkness and given away our hopeful high ground. Worse than this, we simply look like everyone else who has succumbed in the dreadful darkness. When Christians become a reflection of dark despair and not a beacon of light in the darkness, we are in real trouble. This needs to change — now.

The writer C.S. Lewis tells a story of Aslan the Lion approaching the dwarves of Narnia huddled in a field on a sunny day. It is a beautiful day all around as they close ranks in a tight circle, heads buried and eyes closed. They complain that it is so dark and so scary as Aslan sits and listens to their tale of woe.

They see no hope. Everyone is doomed. Finally, Aslan speaks, encouraging them to open their eyes, unravel their tight circle and see the beauty all around them.

I see huddled circles of despairing people in too many places right now. It is time to open our eyes and see the beauty all around us.

Calling all Christians: Turn toward the light!

Anyone else who is reading this, please join us in shining light into the darkness. We need all the help we can get.

It is time to see that something beautiful is coming. This beauty can be seen in those all around us right now.

It is time to see the spirit of God in others. It is time to reframe these past years in which we have dwelt in the shadow of death and be delivered us to a place of new beginning.

If something has knocked you down, it is time to get up. If someone has treated you badly, in the words of Jesus, it is time to shake off the dust and move on.

Something beautiful is coming. Do not miss it.

It is time to reframe the darkness of the recent past and step into the fullness of light. The darkness will never overcome the light. We have this promise. Let’s step into the light.

The Rev. Tim Ahrens is senior minister at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Downtown Columbus.

Keeping the Faith is a column featuring the perspectives of a variety of faith leaders from the Columbus area.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Column: Together, we can shine a light into the darkness