The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” – John 1:5. Darkness is always lurking at the door, ready to take anyone who is fleshy and weak. Darkness exists in the spaces of this earth that most of the world likes to ignore, and not publish over social media… and that is in the 3rd world. Whether it is slum communities filled with trash, roads made out of sand bags and old clothes, or women left without husbands due to a civil war… darkness is very present in the immense poverty and tragedy that surrounds the 3rd world.
This summer was my first time coming back to El Salvador, after our trip to 2021. I came into it being very afraid. Afraid that the memories of the shocking and devastating death of Mr. Munoz would characterize the lens in which my eyes saw and felt towards El Salvador. I didn’t want to characterize it in the color of death, or let it have any power over me and my friends or the way we would be used by God during our time there. So naturally, I went and spent time in prayer and Gods word. I prayed and prayed, and eventually this verse came to my mind from John 1. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:4-5
Jesus is our light. God has the capacity to bring life, and light into the darkest of places. And the way he does that, is through his words. Genesis 1 has God in the midst of creation, taking a breath over the deep and chaotic darkness of water, and speaking life into the situation. He separates the light from the dark, and gives us a space where humans can live and learn from God, in a world that is light and hospitable to them.
God is a God of light, of restoration and healing. In him there is NO darkness. As Gods kids, we have the responsibility to bring Gods light into the darkest situations, and usher in Gods kingdom by our ability to speak and bring life into any situation. And, I can confidently say that that very thing happened heavily this week.
Our team served a SLAM camp, and all of the kids that came there. We went to slums and took time picking up trash around the community, going around and praying for those that we saw. Taking time to lay hands on people, to pray for them. To look them in the eyes and tell them how loved they are by God. To hold them, and humanize them by bringing in Gods word, prayer, and love into the situation.
While darkness is still present throughout the developing world, my team was able to shine light on the people of El Salvador. And, we did so by being obedient to God and his direction. By being sensitive to his voice and spirit, by laying down our own agendas and serving the kids right in-front of us. By looking others in the eyes and asking to pray for them, asking them questions about their stories and lives.
Our world does not have power over my God. Gods light shines in all areas of darkness, and it will not be overcome. It will shine through and bring joy, love, light, and a place for all who are apart of gods kingdom.