February 17: God is in both Darkness and Light
Moses entered the darkness and there saw God. Gregory Of Nyssa
Gregg’s Reflection
On my spiritual journey, I’ve been blessed to walk with a spiritual director who reminds me that our soul lives at the fulcrum of light and darkness. God is present in both. We cannot deny the shadow and still expect to grow. Our soul will not expand if we try to live only in the light.
John of the Cross teaches that the dark night is God’s gift of liberation. It strips away our illusions about God, our attachment to benefits, and even our devotion to spiritual practices that make us feel secure. This is a work of subtraction, not addition — a peeling away of all that is false so that the True Self, the dwelling place of God, can emerge. Buddhists call it ‘the face you had before you were born.’
When we embrace both light and dark, joy and sorrow, we learn that God’s presence is not dependent on our mood, circumstances, or feelings. In that trust, we find freedom to welcome God into every part of our experience.
Scripture
The Lord has said he would dwell in thick darkness.
1 Kings 8:12
Ancient Quotes
Moses entered the darkness and there saw God.
Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of Moses, II.163–164
Modern Quotes
The dark night is God’s best gift to you… freeing you from your ideas about God, your fears about God… your sure cures for doubting God.
Richard Rohr, CAC Morning Devotional, 2/4/21
Journaling Prompts
- How does knowing God is present in both joy and sorrow change your trust in Him?
- Where might you be resisting His presence in a dark space?
- How could you welcome Him into every part of your experience today?
- Perhaps the desert is the way to the water of life — what will you trust and risk?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 7 Reflection: Dark Night / Cloud of Unknowing