Dear Caldwell,
I heard an interesting interview on NPR yesterday about the power of symbols and how some organizations use secret symbols like hand gestures or bumper stickers to identify themselves, including white supremacists.
People have always used symbols, for good and for evil, even after developing complex languages. Symbols hold power. They can mark our identity in groups and tribes. They can also tell stories, as they did in the Bible.
So it is in the Old Testament book of Exodus and its accounts of the plagues that God sent down on Egypt when Pharaoh refused to free the children of Israel. As we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week, I invite you to read Exodus 7:6-11, the account of how God “warned” the powerful Egyptians in waves of frogs, gnats, flies, boils, locusts and more until finally plunging all of Egypt into total darkness for three straight days.
Did these things really happen? Are they true? Or, are they symbols and metaphors? As always, that’s a question of biblical interpretation.
What is true is that there is a kind of darkness that separates us from God and each other. It’s a darkness that can hold us captive and disorient us so deeply that we don’t know if we will ever find a way out.
So whether it is the ancient texts of the Bible or today’s headlines and cable news, symbols are still with us, still speaking to us about our relationships with each other, as a society and as a people of faith whose identity and “chief end” is to glorify and enjoy God forever in service and devotion.
I pray that you know more light than darkness this week. If darkness does find you, remember that it will pass. As the prologue to the Gospel of John reminds us, the darkness ultimately does not overcome the light because of the liberation offered to us in Christ, the light of the world.
Please hold Anne Hunter-Eidson and her family close in prayer after the death of her mother, Doris Hunter, this week.
Please lift up Trene’ and Destiny Kirkland-Smith at the loss of Trene’s grandfather, Allen Mitchell Sr. at 90 years of age. Service details in Charleston are pending.
We are also sending prayers of strength and brilliance to Gail Henderson-Belsito, as she works on a week-long ordination exam, her last. We also send support to member Lia Benton, as she balances an over-load of classes at seminary with work and family.
Finally, the session (elders) will meet after worship Sunday to welcome anyone who would like to join the church. Please call me in advance at 704-957-4511 if you would like to join. I will be away Thursday through Saturday at meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Outlook magazine (take a look and consider subscribing!)
Watch for Caldwell This Week later with all the details.
In Christ,
John