As I write this, like many of you I’m following the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott
Key Bridge in Baltimore. What a terrible tragedy, particularly for the families of the workers on
the bridge who lost their lives. I was hoping perhaps the rescue divers might be able to save
some of them. But alas that was not the case. I was struck by one thing the governor of
Maryland said in talking about those divers. “They are down there in darkness where they can
literally see only about a foot in front of them.”
I’ve been thinking about that comment and the efforts of those divers in the context of our
theme for this school year “See the Light…Be the Light” based on John 8:12. Coincidentally
about the same time I was reading in the book of Ephesians and came across this verse: “For at
one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
(Ephesians 5:8) For the rescue divers in Baltimore darkness was a challenge they faced. This
passage from Ephesians says that without Christ darkness is something we are. It’s not like
we’re just mildly messed up people wandering around hopeless in the darkness. Instead, we’re
the real problem – sinful by nature and irretrievably lost. However, with and in Christ we are His
light in this world. What joy it brings me to know my darkness has been cast off by Jesus’ death
and resurrection and I can live joyfully and free as His light in the lives of those around me.