Out of Darkness----Light!

Genesis opens with the over-arching theme of God bringing light, and then, harmony, beauty, order, out of darkness and chaos.  The entire Bible follows this motif, as does our own lives.  Many of the saints and mystics describe their initial darkness as "the preparatory action of God for the graces which would follow" (Gertrud of Helfta, The Herald of Divine Love, 1281).

Gertrude speaks of God as "dispersing the darkness of my night."  Her account can be compared to that of Augustine hearing a voice saying "Take and Read," or of Saul's enounter with "a blinding light."

Even those of us raised in church and "faithful" to the rules and rituals of our faith must experience a "born-again" or encounter with a light -out- of- darkness event.  Ann Rice's latest book Called Out of Darkness is a wonderful example of her personal encounter with the Light of Christ.  Even though she has since repudiated her affliation with Christians, she still cannot deny the powerful experience recorded in that book---and once claimed by the Light, I suspect she will return to it at the end.

Our religious experience growing up is intended to hold us in place until the coming of the Light into our world.  Like the Old Testament regulations, the "law" is meant to regulate our behavior from the outside until the Truth illumines our minds and hearts from within. 

Those who have had a "divine encounter," as did Abraham, Moses, and the Prophets, experience the presence of God Himself as alive, real, and life-giving.  Following that encounter, there is a new mutuality and dialog, a new "freedom of speech" with the God who has now become a close friend.  Even today, people will report "God speaking to [them/me]" and a free response on their part. 

This transformation from "saying prayers" to dialoging with the Divine Presence is common and characteristic of all who have encountered the Living God.  The conversations of all these people with God are the means by which they receive spiritual truth, are reproved, consoled, encouraged, and guided on their spiritual journey.

George Washington Carver, the great scientist whose work further liberated his people from slavery, reports going into the forest each morning at 4:30 am to collect botanical specimens for his class that day.  "There," he reports, "I received my orders for the day."

When Teresa of Avila asked God why He was "treating her this way" when she was doing his work, He replied, "I treat all of my friends this way."  "No wonder you have so few of them," she shot back.  Only a friend (as opposed to a servant)  could have this kind of free exchange with God.

Once we encounter the Light of the World, we enter the Light and become light--and in that light, we experience the gift of free speech and honest exchange with the Friend Who is always present in our lives.