Pamphlet Review: Light in the Darkness

As I sorted through books I hadn't picked up in years, I came across this little BBC Talks pamphlet by Roy McKay called Light in the Darkness. The cover provides clear evidence of age by its proclaimed price, "One shilling & threepence." Six micro-essays round out this collection of theological talks originally given in 1958 for a program called "Lift Up Your Hearts." My favorite essay was "The Dark is Light Enough." This title comes from a Christopher Fry play. Fry took that title from a passage about the flight of butterflies. They fly, without hesitation, through darkness. In spite of obstacles, they press on. Inspired by Abraham journeying forth without knowing where he was headed, McKay encourages believers to continue taking one step at a time, in faith, in the dark. This passage resonated with me: 

"I suppose there are some people who are so certain of God and of His continual presence with them, that they go on their way without any doubts or questionings. I confess I'm not one of them. Very often God is hidden and I cannot find the help and light I need. But when that happens, I find comfort in... the psalmist's cry... 'Why are thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my crying? O my God, I cry in the daytime but thou answerest not.' To accept the mystery of life, and act without knowing the result of one's actions, is part of the life of faith. How else can we learn the secret of trust? How else can we learn to love God for His own sake and not for what we can get out of Him?"

I'm glad I didn't discard this old little pamphlet. Despite its brevity, these thoughts from Hebrews invigorate my faith. These days, trials feel so overwhelming, I often despair. McKay reminds me to take one step at a time in the dark. God gives just enough light to see the next step. He encourages me to fix my eyes on Christ and the beauty around me, looking for the hope I may not even see in this lifetime. His talks are, indeed, light in the darkness.