Daily Light: Reflections for Holy Times - Seeing Takes Courage

Seeing Takes Great Courage

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

- John 12:46

The last few years, I have been allowing the light of Christ to shine on the darkness of racism so I can see racism more clearly. That is not an accurate statement. The light of Christ has been shining on racism all along but I have not been willing to look at just how dark racism is. The light does shine in the darkness but sometimes we just don’t want to see, so we keep our eyes close. We may not even know we are blind.

I believe in progress, that “the arc of moral universe is long but it bends toward justice,” yet lately I am seeing more darkness of racism than ever before. Is this because there is more darkness around racism? Or is it because I am willing, in the light of Christ, to look. I am seeing racism in how the news gets reported, with Blacks often seen as inferior. I am seeing racism in historic practices of banks and governmental agencies. I am seeing racism in how Black men are seen as a threat, especially by the police. I am seeing racism in me, in how I judge people of different colors. I am feeling racism in my body as I carry the trauma of being a white (and there is significant trauma in being the oppressor). I feel overwhelmed. I feel hopeless. I wonder if we can find a way forward that is truly a way forward, that will truly address the deep, systemic racism of our society and of our bodies.

Yet how am I able to see this darkness if not for the light of Christ. In the light of Christ’s love, I can see the mistrust and prejudice, in me and around me. In the light of Christ’s grace, I can see how I have withheld acceptance of those who are different than me. I can see how well-meaning people continue to withhold acceptance from those who are other. In the light of Christ’s peace, I can feel my body tense when the issue of racism is raised. In the light of Christ’s justice, I can see more and more injustice throughout our society. It is Christ’s light that helps me to see.

It is also the light of Christ that gives me deep and profound hope. The darkness of racism has plagued this nation since its beginning. Yet that darkness cannot overcome the light. The light still shines and moves into dark places. The light of Christ is helping me and so many others see the effects of racism, to open our eyes. The light of Christ is giving so many the courage to be light themselves, to stand up and radically love, to stand up and boldly work for justice and peace, to stand up and declare this racism affects us all in the very cells of our bodies. The light of Christ calls on us to believe in Christ’s Yes to Life, so we do not have to stay in the darkness anymore.

The light of Christ invites us to see. Seeing takes great courage. In this season of Advent, may we welcome Christ’s light to shine in and around us, before us and behind us. May we all see in new ways.

Clay Brantley

RH Director

Author, Artist