Wynne C
My neighbours have been back in Hong Kong for the past two weeks. They shut their windows and blinds tight before they left.
Today, as I was coming home, I took a quick glance at their front window and saw a touch of wonder that made my heart stir.
It was but a plant on the window sill, which had slowly crept through the crevices of the blinds. Its shoots had made their way towards the glass.
It craved light. So, it grew.
This was such a strangely moving sight, I found my eyes welling up a little.
Many of us struggle daily with darkness that threatens to overcome us. Anxiety, self-reproach, haunted by the monsters of our past, hounded by the looming shadows of our present… These demons wilt us. Yet amidst the darkness that threatens to swallow us whole, there is Light.
At first, it presents itself as a little glimpse of shimmer that peeps through the almost forgotten parts of us. We take a few steps back, fearing of the unknown. We think to ourselves, “Do I edge towards it? Or do I sit less than comfortably in the bed of thorns I have made for myself?” We ask, “Is the Light truly better?”
One day we are no longer able to deny that stirring inside us to take that first step forward. The Light. It feels warm on our skin. Maternal, even. We take one more step forward. We notice that our branches slowly gain strength to grow upright. We take another step forward. We notice that a small bud springs forth from a shoot we once thought was dead. Our confidence grows as we witness the transformative power of the Light as we inch closer and closer. We bravely take two steps forward. And upon us a scarlet robe from above is draped.
Living lighter looks different for each of us, but in essence it requires us to take small but wilful steps away from the all-encompassing darkness. The Light calls you by name. It is waiting for you. Will you draw near?
“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” – Micah 7:8
“The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” – John 1:5
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12
This is why it is said: “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” – Ephesians 5:14
