Candles in the Darkness

Candles in the Darkness

By John W. Vander Velden

 

There are those that wish to fill the world with chaos hoping to drive all others into the darkness of their creation.  How do we respond to those that use hate and fear, ignorance and cruelty, those with no respect for any other voice than their own, those that place no value on life?  They are fed by anger, driven in narrowmindedness so certain they possess the only answers and believe any that disagree must die.  They bring only darkness and pain doing whatever they can to absorb anything good.

How do we respond to evil?  Do we pick up the broad brush and blame masses for the sins of the few.  Do we use appearances, families, ethnic groups, nationalities, or other excuses to punish the innocents?  Do we allow fear, the tool of the oppressor, to blind us?  Do we allow our own desire for safety to prevent us to see the desperate plight of thousands?

To do so feeds the darkness, the place where fear resides.  No, the time has come when courage is demanded, a time to bring light.  For only light can overcome the darkness of fear, hate, injustice, and even death.  If each of us carries but a small candle, then darkness can be overcome.  But only if each of us…all of us… bring the candle of love and compassion, to open our heart to the lost and hurting, the homeless and ill, the frightened and injured.  For all those small flames combined, create the light that can overcome evil’s vile darkness.  Will you not be among the millions that light their candles in the darkness…the candles of love?

(273 Words)  11-19-2015