Light and Dark
A Slice of Infinity
by Betsy Childs

If you have ever lived in a major city, you have encountered what has become known as "light pollution." Street lamps emit light in all directions instead of directing it downward where we need it, and the countless rays from billboards, marquees, and headlights mask the stars and even the clouds in the night sky. These days it seems hard to escape from the glow of artificial light that seeps in through closed blinds. Light pollution became such a problem in the Czech republic that last year the government passed a law intended to limit light pollution.

To get a good view of the stars, one must find a place that is truly dark. I remember stumbling through a farm field in darkness, trying to recall the terrain as I had seen it in the day. I expected to trip and fall at any moment. Yet when I turned my dilated eyes heavenward, I was greeted by a brilliant canopy of lights set off against the unfathomable darkness of the sky. Regardless of whether or not they are observed, the multitude of stars waits patiently in the sky like jewels unmined. The one thing that allowed me to see those stars was the darkness, darkness that I had been missing for so many months in the city.

Those of us who experience a constant stream of artificial light rarely think about the natural ones we are missing unless an unintended blackout forces us into darkness. It is strange to think that one form of light, such as light emitted by electric and neon bulbs, could prevent us from seeing another more powerful light, such as the stars. In much the same way, there are many things that distract us and prevent us from seeing the light of Christ. In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes Satan as one who masquerades as an "angel of light." (Footnote 1: 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV).) Paul also writes, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (Footnote 2: 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV).) Read the rest!