EVERYDAY OBJECTS 

«During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived» (Exodus 10:23). 

One summer night the lights went out. There was a severe storm, the kind that’s announced way in advance, with humidity and a concert of cicadas. Because of the blackout, we couldn’t see anything at all. At that moment I remembered the ninth plague in Egypt and imagined the dense darkness they must have lived with during those days. But according to the biblical narrative, there was light in the homes of the children of Israel.

No matter how dark it is all around. With God, there’s light. Always. The darkness lasted for three days for the Egyptians and nobody could see others or move from their spots.

Having light makes it possible for us to see each other more clearly and that enables us to act. If God is truly with us, that can be a reality.

But isn’t it strange how sometimes even though we say we belong to the people who’s received the most light and even though we believe we’re close to God, we’re actually static? Isn’t it strange how, considering there’s so much need around us and we can see so many people, we take so little action?

Maybe we feel we’re part of the children of Israel when we’re in fact behaving more like the Egyptians during those three days.

The darkness of those days was not only passing darkness. The sky actually stopped showing the stars, the atmosphere became heavy, and the power of the sun and moon gods, which were so revered by Egyptians, was mocked. An unknown thing had taken over the most powerful empire.

The same thing will happen in the last days. Darkness will be so heavy that many people will wander about, feeling it. Everything we view as powerful will seem to lack power when God manifests Himself in glorious majesty when He comes for His people.

If someone had to tell your story, when they spoke of your house, could they say, «there was light?»

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gave a brief but powerful command, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).

That first command, “Let there be light,” is still resounding with validity today.