“Light and dark insist on existing together. They touch and they ask, only that we be open to examining where our metaphors have failed us so we’d know not to fear their touch as well.”
YES. You said this so precisely and beautifully. You named an ugly reality--failed metaphors (or I’d even say intentional propaganda)--with such elegance and pointed to the truth that light and dark are not enemies at all.
Oh your words swirl in me and reawaken some of the questions I never found answers for. How can that song so familiar be so admired? How can the core of those words be reflective of our God who said “it is very good” of our creation?
Tonight I’m reminded that whenever I’m with people of color, especially Black people, I’m overwhelmed by their radiance. My white world doesn’t seem to compare. The joy, the love, the pain, the grief - all of the things of life seems much more alive than many of my skinfolk. I’ve always thought it had to do with the hardships endured making everything more precious. Tonight you have me rethinking. Perhaps it is the very action of the melanin absorbing the light and reflection it back that is the thing that shines for me.
You are radiant. You are of a radiant people. I’m blessed by your presence every time in encounter you.
Really good questions, here’s my answer to the first one: “light touches dark skin, too” means that I am not outside His purview, that I am His, and He is mine. Light can reach and penetrate me, and I can radiate light. I am good.
“Light and dark insist on existing together. They touch and they ask, only that we be open to examining where our metaphors have failed us so we’d know not to fear their touch as well.”
YES. You said this so precisely and beautifully. You named an ugly reality--failed metaphors (or I’d even say intentional propaganda)--with such elegance and pointed to the truth that light and dark are not enemies at all.
I just love your writing, Rose.
This is incredible, stunning. I love the idea of the void as chaos rather than nothing. Nothing needs to be eliminated.
Thank you for sharing!! I love that your last sentence could be interpreted (at least) two ways 🙂
Oh your words swirl in me and reawaken some of the questions I never found answers for. How can that song so familiar be so admired? How can the core of those words be reflective of our God who said “it is very good” of our creation?
Tonight I’m reminded that whenever I’m with people of color, especially Black people, I’m overwhelmed by their radiance. My white world doesn’t seem to compare. The joy, the love, the pain, the grief - all of the things of life seems much more alive than many of my skinfolk. I’ve always thought it had to do with the hardships endured making everything more precious. Tonight you have me rethinking. Perhaps it is the very action of the melanin absorbing the light and reflection it back that is the thing that shines for me.
You are radiant. You are of a radiant people. I’m blessed by your presence every time in encounter you.
Thank you Margaret 🖤
I loved this, Rose. Especially the point about light and darks insistence on existing together.
I’m meditating on this: What happened to the chaos, this “face of the deep” that some theologians were content to leave behind?
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This was so beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous.
Really good questions, here’s my answer to the first one: “light touches dark skin, too” means that I am not outside His purview, that I am His, and He is mine. Light can reach and penetrate me, and I can radiate light. I am good.