Singing in the Dark: Finding Hope in the Songs of ScriptureSample

### Singing in the Darkness We all experience darkness. I, personally, lost my eyesight when I was three because of optic atrophy and several degenerative eye conditions. Perhaps your darkness has come in the form of a painful loss, a chronic or terminal illness, deep loneliness, addiction, or perpetual anxiety and sadness. Whether you resonate with one of these categories or not, because you’re a human being, you know what it is to do battle with darkness. There’s the darkness that keeps us from clearly seeing the path ahead, the haze of uncertainty as we make our way through the world. And there’s the darkness that keeps us from face-to-face encounters with God this side of heaven, calling us to rely on faith (1 Cor. 13:12). But in any darkness we face, I am certain we can learn to sing of hope. True, deep, unshakable hope that comes from knowing that God broke into our darkness, conquering it once and for all. This reading plan is about more than just warbling a song—it’s about creating and practicing a mindset, one that I am convinced is the only way to walk through this life with joy in every circumstance. We all long for wholeness. For perfection. So we do our best to avoid the brokenness within and around us. We block it out, or we turn up the noise of our busy lives to distract ourselves. We pretend the darkness doesn’t exist. We choose not to sing. But what if we did? What if we sang songs of hope in our darkness? Of lament in our pain and brokenness but also of the coming wholeness? What if we sang of both our suffering and our coming glory? What if we sang of the eternal joy that will outlast and ultimately triumph over our sorrow? Wouldn’t such songs give us the hope and joy to overcome the darkness now? Ignoring the darkness doesn’t make it light. Avoiding brokenness doesn’t bring redemption. But singing in the dark can heal us and change us. When our songs are directed toward God, the giver of song and healing, they ultimately bring us hope and joy. It takes courage to sing in the dark, especially in moments when our stories don’t make sense to us. When confusion and doubt overwhelm us. But this courage, it seems to me, grows as we sing. If you’ve been singing your life’s songs in the darkness of sadness, physical suffering, self-doubt, or isolation, or if you simply want to learn to sing hope, no matter your circumstances, I invite you to join me as I share my story and we study the songs of Scripture. Together, we’ll embark on a journey that I pray and believe will help you experience the infinite hope and endless joy we’ve been promised in Christ. Reflection: A “song” doesn’t have to have literal music. It is whatever is on repeat in your heart and mind. What “song,” good or bad, is playing over and over in your head? Ask God to teach you to sing His song of love and truth.