Thought for the Month - October 2018
"Bring me sunshine" by Barry Adair
(Light in a dark valley)
A song from my childhood popped into my head the other day, that's it in the title. "Bring me sunshine" was first sung by Morecambe and Wise on TV back in the 1970s and went on to become their signature tune. In fact, when Ernie Wise's comedy duo friend Eric Morecambe died in 1984, Eric read out the lyrics at the funeral…
Bring me sunshine, in your smile,
Bring me laughter, all the while,
In this world where we live, there should be more happiness,
So much joy you can give, to each brand new bright tomorrow.
I think the song appeared in my head while I was reading about a small town in Norway. Rjukan is located about 100 miles west of Oslo in Norway. I've never been anywhere near Norway but as an engineer this place intrigued me. Rjukan is situated in a deep valley between two mountain ridges. In fact, the valley is so deep that the mountains block the sun's rays for up to six months every single year. This is the way it has always been, and those born and raised in the village just seemed to accept this fact of geography. But then a few years back, a newer inhabitant of Rjukan started a movement to try and bring some winter sunshine to the town. After many years of discussion, agreement of the council and with the help of several experts, the town erected gigantic mirrors high up on the mountain overlooking the village. Rjukan completed its huge computer-controlled mirrors back in October 2013 and they now reflect a 600 square meter (6,500 square foot) beam of winter sunshine into the town square below. Newly installed benches in the square allow those sitting there to bask in sunlight while all around them are in darkness. Although Rjukan has nearly 3,500 inhabitants, they seem to be able to share the space and enjoy the sunshine reflected 500 metres from the mountain-top mirrors.
I have written before about 'light' and I can understand the frustration of those who, once experiencing true light in their lives, would miss it so much if it was taken away. When light is removed from our lives, depression often follows. And I am talking about both physical light and also about other 'lights' in our life. A partner, or a friend, or even a pet can be lights in our life. When these lights are extinguished, often our joy can be extinguished too.
I must confess that I have no personal knowledge of depression but I have witnessed it close at hand. It is a horrible mental condition and one that I would never want to experience myself. Now there is a specific depressive condition linked to the lack of sunlight; I'm speaking about 'SAD' - Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is also referred to as 'winter depression'. After some brief research, it seems that this condition affects many more than I thought it did. But unlike clinical depression, the remedy is relatively easy, get more sunlight! The initial founder of Rjukan also knew all about the lack of sunlight and how it could impact his workers' mood and health. So, in 1928 his company paid for the construction of a cable car to carry people from the town 500m higher up the mountain and into the light.
There is another disorder which affects people today too and I'm also calling it 'SAD' - Sin Affective Disorder. Whether you believe in 'original sin' or not, I think everyone reading this Thought will acknowledge the prevalence of sin in our world today. All of us are affected by sin, whether it's our own or someone else's. If you read the Bible, sin is often associated with 'darkness'. And one Bible verse just jumped out of the pages at me as I thought of the townsfolk of Rjukan…
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
This verse could nearly have been written for Rjukan if it was speaking about physical darkness. Of course, the Bible is speaking about spiritual darkness here and I want to end on this meaning too. Many today are walking in spiritual darkness with no care of the life to come. Jesus was concerned too when He walked on this earth and He still is today…
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)
I have always loved the description of the Lord Jesus as the "Light of the world". Only by accepting Jesus Christ into your life will you ever experience the light of life…
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Back in Rjukan, there has not exactly been a run on sunglasses, and pale complexions still predominate, but the locals love being in the light again. And spiritually speaking, we too will experience true joy in moving from darkness into light.
We were created to be children of the light, flee the darkness and come into the glorious Light of God…
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7
Why exist in the shady darkness when you can live in the glorious light?
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
Until next month (DV)…
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