Light Travels

Light travels at the speed of 186,000 miles per second. Darkness doesn’t have a speed because it isn’t a physical property. It is simply the absence of light. On our recent trip to Amsterdam, Germany, France and Switzerland, I thought about the contrast between light and darkness a lot.

Every city and village that we visited had a majestic cathedral. The towns were built around these lavish places of worship when they were constructed. They still stand as the physical centerpiece for these communities but likely not in the way they were originally intended. Most people seem to be more intrigued more by their beauty and historical value than anything else. There seems to be somewhat of an attitude of “we’ve advanced as a society beyond this and have moved on.”

This is a sad reality but not surprising. It’s well documented that Europe is in spiritual decline. When you travel there, you are confronted head on with this starker contrast between light and darkness. Those in darkness aren’t particularly unkind or overtly hostile, they are just lost - which is easy to do with the absence of light. In some ways, this feels like a glimpse into the future for where our country is headed. Let’s hope that changes.

We got to worship on two different Sunday’s - once in Amsterdam and once in Lucerne, Switzerland. While Amsterdam’s service was in Dutch and Lucerne’s was in Swiss German, we felt very much at home in both. We couldn’t understand the sermons, but we could follow the Bible references and knew most of the songs. We even got to take communion in Lucerne. It was so refreshing to have the opportunity to worship with other Christians. The language barrier was overcome by a kindred spirit.

I am still trying to figure out all of my takeaways from this trip but I think that biggest is the reminder that those who walk in the Light are attracted to others who do the same. The Christian life was intended to be lived in community with others. We all need as much of this as we can get. Christian fellowship is a gift from God that we should never take for granted or undervalue. Take advantage of all the opportunities we get.

Light travels well. Our trip was a good reminder of that for me.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6