“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.” -John 1:5
A sudden, inexplicable tragedy such as the freak accidents that killed both my cousin Kole Kromminga and my uncle Rich Kromminga are my closest and most tangible understanding of true darkness: That deep, dull ache of loss that takes root in your chest, that wondering of how you and your loved ones can continue on, that feeling of darkness closing in on all sides. Darkness is real, strong, and paradigm-altering. Darkness, grief, pain, and suffering felt when loved ones are lost are the most unfortunate side effects of living in a fallen and broken world. Our world is broken and has been since the fall, and therefore, we, as its inhabitants, must feel the reaches and effects of its extensive brokenness. There is no avoiding tragedy and darkness, and once we face it, there is not a fix-all remedy.
HOWEVER (and yes, the hope comes in the however), there is a biblical declaration that rings true in all tragedies for all time: Light wins. This is our ultimate hope even when we have not the strength to believe it: light wins, God wins, love wins. The day that Jesus died on the cross, the ongoing battle between dark and light was no longer ebbing and flowing, giving and taking. On that day that defined history, it was decided that no matter how dense the darkness, the light still shines, and good still wins. This is no longer up for dispute.
So, in the midst of tragedy that seems so evil, so unnatural, so unfair, we might find ourselves asking “where is the light, where is the goodness, the hope, the truth?” And sometimes it feels so distant and so out of reach. But it is there and shining despite our denial or obliviousness of its presence. The very fact that we feel the deep, dull ache of loss proves the depth of our capacity for love. We feel the heartache of grief in our chest just as we feel the swelling of love. That we are able to love and be loved to the extent that leaves us broken and torn is, in itself, a beautiful facet of the human capacity for light. Not only this, but when the overwhelming darkness of tragedy closes in, it is then that we truly see the strength of our light and our love. People sending cards, friends making meals, members of a community standing in line for 4+ hours just to enter the wake (the case in both Rich’s and Kole’s deaths), complete strangers seeing your pain and going out of their way to show you some semblance of joy…Those are the tangible, active, real evidences of good conquering the evil we feel. When we are faced with darkness or we see others held within its icy grip, it is then that our light lunges forth to fight back stronger. In every tragedy, in every culture, for all time, humans have shown the great depth of their capacity for light. When darkness encircles, light shines brighter. Because love wins.
There are no reasons or answers for tragedies such as these. No words of comfort or explanation can help with such a loss. We do not need to find a rationale or to pretend to be ok when faced with such darkness. But, we must know that the darkness we are experiencing and the pain that we are feeling does not get the final word, and we mustn’t let it. Love gets the final word. Love, light, truth, God–they get the final word. It is written, it is promised, and it is proven.
So in the midst of overwhelming heartache and immense darkness, in honor of my both uncle Rich and my cousin Kole who were taken from my world far too soon, I choose to see and find hope in the light that they brought to my life and the victory that Jesus solidified on the cross.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.”
-Kendra Appleton
An Appleton a Day 