Black Holes … and Light

“Black Holes” are basically collapsed stars (after a supernova event) which are so dense that even light cannot escape their gravity. (Though high energy matter can be ejected out their poles as new discoveries reveal.)  I started to think about “Black Holes” in a different “light” so to speak, as we close this year and enter the new.  Christmas brings us the kind of light that penetrates the deepest of darkness, even death.  Has Christ’s light come to break apart or dissolve the “Black Holes” that are so near to us?  Let’s look at a few and ponder.

How about the “Black Hole(s)” of addiction(s)?  They are all around us, powerfully attractive and then hold on tightly despite our best efforts to escape.  Could be drugs, alcohol, gambling, sexual addiction; relationship or eating disorders or any habit that alters our moods while disorganizing and draining away our physical, mental and spiritual health.  Anyone getting near also gets sucked in through the deception and coercion of co-dependency.  The gravity of this situation is measured by heavy guilt and shame.  But can Jesus’ light effectively deal with these monsters?  And speaking of monsters …

What about the “Black Hole” of discouragement?  Lots of us have gotten pulled into this one! Feeling trapped, powerless and hopeless, filled with guilt and shame, the weight of this situation may make us struggle but our many failures and falling back make us end up wanting to give up.  Thoughts of suicide, self-hatred may lead to withdrawal from friends who couldn’t possibly understand this kind of darkness.  Some become adept at putting on a good appearance to hide the pain. Even if they did know, what good would that do? Sharing seems pointless. This kind of “Black Hole” tends to hold down all creativity, purpose and joy in life.  Fortunately, some medicines help reduce significantly the feelings of depression; putting a lid on being able to “go there” (go deeper into that darkness). Well, is Jesus in those meds?  Is Jesus also in prayer and counseling … the presence of a good, kind and patient friend?  Is your head nodding?

O.K then, what about those Black Holes created by micromanagers: those who try to dominate  conversations; control how all the money is spent; dictate who does what, when and how.  Arrogant (but really insecure) Black Hole managers feel (consciously or not) that they need to be constantly in control.  How could Jesus help such an individual … and especially if it’s me??

And sex?  Ironically, the Black Hole of selfish sex has eaten up and sucked dry many God-intended intimacies. The light of honest sharing, patient listening, joy and compassion have disappeared into seeming oblivion.  Passion novels, soaps, pornography, violence and judgmental or consuming religious practices tend to fill the void and, in the end, strengthen the pull of darkness.

Soooo … the answer is???

Over the centuries, the Bible has been God’s light for peoples’ darkness all over the world.    John (chapter one) wrote, “In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”  Now isn’t that an interesting phrase … “the darkness has not understood it.” But personalizing darkness?  Why not?  Could the way around and/or out of Black Holes be as simple as the word surrender: a daily walk with a powerful, forgiving and wise friend who DOES understand us and still loves us?  We sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  Who put that song there? 

As we enter the New Year, let us receive and celebrate the invisible Presence of God as greater than any human darkness.  We know that Jesus came into our world to bring that light of healing, hope, orgiveness, wisdom and true love to all persons trapped and lost.  Jesus even met the Black Hole of death with resurrection light.  And so Paul wrote, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And then there was Light!  Darkness, be gone!

Pr. Dan