In our regular column with Churches Together in Medway, Pam Tolhurst, Local Church Leader at Gillingham United Reformed Church, thinks about how we're all coping, particularly as the nights draw in.

As the sun sets in these November days, it is easy to focus on the dark, particularly when rain is lashing and the wind is howling. All can seem gloomy.

Yet it isn’t only the weather that might makes us feel like that, for much else can take us to a state of despair.

All manner of things can cause us to focus on darkness, however much they might or might not directly affect us.

The year 2020 continues to bring challenges, some of them way beyond what we might have ever imagined possible when the year began. And for some this year, the word tragedy is real and we must acknowledge that.

In the reality of life on earth, in days which are really hard and difficult, how do we cope? What is it that helps us to keep going? I wonder. Our answers will be very varied.

I believe that there is one answer which rises above any other and it is this. There is one true focus which enables us to cry out, whatever our feeling, our emotion, our fear, our anxiety. One focus which comforts us in the darkness. That focus is Jesus, the Light of the world.

In the Bible, John 1 verse 5 [New Living Translation] says: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

They are words which contain the amazing truth that nothing can ever overcome God’s light reflected through our Saviour, Jesus Christ; a verse which says – don't stumble along in the darkness trying to cope in your own strength.

Rather, let Christ be your light. So what does that actually mean?

Simply that, when we commit to following Jesus, we know Him to be the one, true light. Allowing Jesus to shine in our lives, through thanking Him for removing the darkness of our sin, is not only the most fantastic decision that we can ever take but the assurance that, whatever we have to cope with, however dark our days might seem, Jesus is our greatest friend on life’s journey.

If you would like to find out more about Churches Together In Medway or what it means to become a Christian, contact the chairman, Pastor Stephen Bello on 01634 920491 or email rccgvictoriousfamily@hotmail.com

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