october 2008 newsletter...
season of light...
Fireworks burst over the bazaar outside my window, winding down a week of celebrating the Hindu Festival of Light. Many stories and myths surround Diwali, one of India's most colorful (also most noisy) holidays. Last night, the smoke from gunpowder hung heavy in the air and I dodged a couple wayward bottle rockets as I walked home. From my understanding, Diwali is about seeking prosperity. Three goddesses are honored: Lakshmi (the goddess of material wealth, for obvious reasons); Kali (the goddess of death, for strength to pursue wealth); and Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge, to remember that knowledge constitutes the ultimate wealth).
Traditionally, every house lined their roof, garden walls, and entrance with tiny oil lamps, or diyas. However, the age of electricity has hit India: picturesque clay lamps and marigold garlands have been cast aside for ropes of flashing lights and garish plastic flowers, with neighbours obviously in competition. It's interesting. Commercialization of holidays is not just a Western phenomenon.
So, Diwali has me pondering the nature of light, and perhaps of prosperity. After hearing that I liked music, a couple colleagues roped me into singing for the Staff Talent Show two weeks ago. I'm not a big Beatles' fan, but I agreed to sing a slow version of Blackbird, a favorite of an English teaching colleague. That's when this issue of light first came up. I wondered if it was okay to sing about a blackbird in the dead of night; a blackbird who flies "...into the light of the cold black night." It seemed so utterly hopeless. So I balanced it out with Emmylou Harris's The Pearl, hoping students would pay more attention to the hope she expresses. Everyone seemed to love the evening, with the Bollywood dance numbers the universal favorite. Music shines a light all its own, I'm convinced, bringing people together in such a beautiful way.
The question of light and darkness naturally emerged again, when I began teaching a study of I John at my church two weeks ago. We have about 25 High School students coming, and I'm excited about the direction we're headed. This last Sunday, we looked at I John 1:5-10, about walking in the Light. Two ideas struck me profoundly: First, John clearly argues that unless we walk in the Light, it is impossible for us to have true intimacy or fellowship with God or each other. Darkness equals loneliness and isolation. Second, we spent a lot of time tracing the qualities of light in Scripture - as the source of life, sustenance, guidance, holiness....I could go on. Even more than this, Light is also a promise for us.
If God is Light, then He will never stop radiating out. He will never stop shining the way for us. All, literally all, we must do is step into His Light and follow in it. We cannot be wise or good or loving or faithful. God embodies all these qualities, and He bathes us in His radiant Light. He clothes us in wisdom, goodness, love, and faithfulness. I'm picturing a darkened stage, with a spotlight shining on one circle. God calls us to move from the dark into that one clear pool of light, and then walk in it. He promises never to withdraw the Light of His presence from us. We can therefore live with confidence and move forward with confidence.
Hindus are right to recognize that knowledge represents the ultimate wealth. The wonderful news that Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 4 is that "God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." Keep praying that He will shine through my life and allow me to be the face of Christ here, with my brothers and sisters.
Life continues to be hectic. Early in October, we took a day off school for the annual intramural Sports Day, which was fun - lots of heated competition. I served as official Long Jump Measurer. My classes are progressing well. I'm enjoying learning a great deal of Indian History. Finally, we're starting to have some quality, meaty discussion in class. Please pray that I'll look for opportunities and seize them. I'm having one class over tomorrow night for dinner, and to watch the movie Amistad.
Then, on Sunday, I head out for a week-long hike with my father and 23 students. We're heading back towards the high Himalayas, to a lake called Dodital, right at the foot of the highest snow peak around here, just under 21,000 feet (don't worry, we're going only to the foot, not the peak). I'm looking forward to the break from routine, the beautiful views, and the chance to spend time with students. This is also one of my father's favorite destinations, and I've never been, so I count it a privilege to be able to go along with him. You can definitely pray that we'll be safe and warm this next week.
Thank you so much for all your kind messages and prayers. I value the fellowship of Light which we enjoy. May you continue to walk in the Light through this coming month.
Your fellow pilgrim,
Amy