Mary Ann Auckland

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Some years ago I went to a workshop at the Welcome Institute about Shakespeare and light. It opened my eyes to what a very dark world Tudor London was – no street lights, very little light spilling out of buildings, unreliable lighting in the home, and so on. The plays were performed in the afternoon as most people did not go out after dark and the actors gave certain signals to indicate whether it was day or night. How powerful Jesus’ words must have been to them – we rarely experience real darkness in our city today.

My ancestors were in the Royal Navy from the mid-18th century until my father died in 1977. In 1850 one of the most famous found the first traces of the doomed Franklin expedition in the Canadian Arctic. Franklin stayed over winter with his ships iced in and almost no daylight. A common problem resulting from this was an Arctic ‘debility’ that overcame the men and could be fatal. No such issue for my ancestor’s crew – he put on a full programme of dazzling entertainment, some lit up with chandeliers!

For seamen of that era the new lighthouses were also a life-saver. Their reliable blazing light helped ships avoid rocks and hazards in foul weather and fair. Now Jesus’ light can help us navigate the current difficult and unfamiliar route – He promises that we will not walk in darkness nor alone.

Song
I find this assurance brilliantly summed up in Rend Collective’s ‘My Lighthouse’.

Prayer
Jesus help me to see your glorious light and remember that, even in the darkness, you are always there by my side to guide me. Amen

Prayer Request
For those navigating their way to work or school, using Transport for London buses and trains. For staff under pressure and passengers concerned for their safety – for wisdom in decision making and protection for all.