The Tender Dawn
[Zechariah spoke this prophecy:] “Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:78-79 (NRSVUE)
If someone offered to “guide your feet into the way of peace,” would you imagine strolling through unknown terrain, without a device, in pitch darkness, far from home?
Me neither. Walking in those circumstances is just plain dangerous. Better to sit down, avoid injury, possibly cheat death, and wait for dawn to break. Yet, according to the passage above, sitting in darkness and waiting for dawn is the necessary prerequisite for walking in the way of peace. Why?
Here’s my theory: dawn does not click on like a light switch. It arrives slowly, gradually, tenderly, peacefully. The sky brightens long before the sun makes an appearance.
If I spent the night sitting in total darkness in an unknown place, I would rise up and walk slowly, gradually, tenderly, peacefully, when the first signs of dawn appeared. I would marvel at the serenity of my surroundings, wondering what I was so afraid of.
We are living in dark times, but these long nights don’t last. They can’t. The dawn will come, gradually and tenderly, coaxing us to rise up and go forth while smiling at our fear.
This is how I imagine the second coming of Christ. It won’t be like the first coming. Instead, it will be the dawning of tenderness and empathy and the diminishment of fear around the earth. It’s happening right now among those who walk in peace.
Prayer
Guide our feet into the way of peace.
About the AuthorMatt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.