I live where darkness reigns after the sun goes down. No street lights or city lights. Distant hills twinkle only when homes contain their owners. 

Walking the dog at night requires a flashlight and a large stick. Just in case.

On cloudless nights a full moon casts shadows like a filtered sun. The ground eerily awash with enough light to see by. But not enough light to remove the Halloween-esque feelings created by naturally-born shadows at midnight.

Darkness dampens spirits and breeds depression. It’s an absence of life and good. Of confidence and hope. Of being able to see clearly what lies ahead.

Today is Good Friday. A day traditionally celebrated with black clothing. Somber voices. Sadness. Silence. No lights.

Remembering darkness at noontime brought about by the death of God’s Son. The perfect Jesus standing in for imperfect man. Substituting Himself for you and me. 

So desiring for us to know our Father’s love. So longing for us to trust and believe God’s heart for us is only good.

A once-in-an-eternity death causing all creation to mourn. Causing all creation to wonder if darkness would win. Joined in by nature as the sun hid itself. 

Naturally-born darkness creating Halloween-esque feelings.

We know Easter is coming. But today, let the heaviness of Jesus’ death lay on your shoulders. Let His absence of breath take away your breath. Consider His sacrifice for you. Bow low at His cross.

It’s all good.