Matthew Porter is the Bishop of Bolton.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark or Light

Last year I went to see Jacob Collier in concert at The Sage in Gateshead. He’s such a talented young musician and the show was full of vibrancy and energy and fun, especially as at the end he got us all singing – in glorious three-part harmony!

Over the last few days I’ve been listening to his recent song Little Blue while in the car driving around Bolton. It’s a gentle, melodic ballad featuring Brandi Carlile, and two lines in it got me thinking.

One is the phrase: ‘Don’t be afraid of the dark.’ That’s a good message, not just at Halloween but looking further ahead as the nights draw in and winter approaches.

"While some find the shorter days of the coming season difficult, we can still live confidently and well, with much to look forward to. And even if we go through dark times, most of us have family and friends to help us and, as I affirm every time I take a funeral, there’s One who walks with us, even as we walk through the darkest valley.

But there’s a second line in the song which also got my attention. It’s this: ‘don’t be afraid of the light.’

It’s not a contradiction of the previous phrase, but simply a recognition that some people have the opposite fear: of light. I expect the song isn’t addressing those with medical conditions where too much light-exposure can be damaging, but rather the light that shines into our hearts. This kind of light pierces our souls and is pure and strong and deeply good. For some, this can sometimes make us feel vulnerable and exposed. It can feel almost too much. Too warm. Too intense.

So I understand why some fear such light, especially as it can reveal dirt that needs cleaning up. But we can react differently, as comedian Frank Skinner recommends, speaking positively about the place of ‘confession’ at church, where we pause to acknowledge selfishness, say sorry and put things right.

For him, the practice of coming into the light is not to be feared but to be welcomed, for it is healthy and healing. That’s been my experience over many years, as I’ve found the light of Christ to be kind and cleansing, loving and liberating. What about you?

As winter approaches, don’t be afraid of the dark. Or the light.