After writing the little piece about “Ghost Riders” I read a little about Stan Jones. He wrote over 200 songs of which over a 100 were published. His work was actually with the Forest Service and he lived in Death Valley for a time. He and his wife would sit in the evening, watching the sun go down, with a cup of coffee. That was one of their traditional routines. Jones died of cancer at the age of 49.
Part of one of his songs was taken for his epitaph. The song was “Resurrectus,” sung by the Sons of the Pioneers and the vocal solo by Ken “Fesus” Curtis (there’s another story).
“I’ll see him in the sunrise
And just as day is done.
No more to walk in darkness
For I know now my cares are none.”
No matter what anyone says, we live in a darkened world. No matter where a person goes, there is some form of darkness. Now, I can hear the religious fanatics begin to cry–“No, no, there is light.” But let’s take another look at the light. John writes that even when the Creator came to the earth as Christ that the darkness did not understand or comprehend it. The Holman version puts it this way, “That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.”
So why is there so much evil, so much darkness in the world? Didn’t Jesus overcome the darkness? That is one of the problems with darkness. Those who are in it often prefer very much to stay in the darkness. For in the darkness they are hidden and they think their deeds are hidden. However, once there is even a flicker of light, there is no longer darkness.
Read on in John and it is seen that John the Baptist was to give testimony to the light. That is part of our obligation as Christians as well, to give testimony to the Light of the world. When He is around, darkness must flee.
Yet there is a darkness of the soul that each person faces in their own way. The darkness may bring despair, despondency, and depression. It may come because of a terrific storm that is raging. Whatever the reason for the darkness do not succumb to it. There is light at the end if you only hold on and stay the course. For example, you are on a train, the sun is shining, and then you hit a tunnel. Darkness overwhelms you, but you do not get off the train. You trust the engineer and the train that it will make it through the tunnel. On the other side, you will again enter the light.
One more little thought about the darkness. Perhaps the reason it is there is that you are not in God’s Word. When His Word is shining, there is light for your path. It may not be much but it is enough to let you see along your trail so that you will not stumble or fall. It reminds me of the old Sunday School song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”
Do your part to give testimony to the true Light and make sure that your lamp is lit. In this world of darkness you will continue to find sure footing and that the Light is indeed shining.
Ira Paine
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
–Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
